Newry City centre was crowned Northern Irish Rising Star, at the Government-run Great British High Street Awards 2019, in partnership with Visa, in Edinburgh.

Inspired by Newry BID, the city was commended for its innovative use of technology and creative initiatives and wins £5,000 for the local community.

Last year a Newry BID delegation led by BID manager Eamonn Connolly and including Buttercrane Centre Manager Peter Murray, Newry Reporter Editor Paul Welsh and Canal Court Manager Louise Young, met with the visiting judges and made a presentation supporting the city’s Great British High Street Awards entry.
The judges then took a tour of the city to meet with local business owners including Declan McChesney and Gemma Murphy.

Eamonn nominated Newry for the Rising Star Award after efforts to restore civic pride while generating optimism to overcome challenges facing the high street with the judges particularly impressed with the VIP Newry Shopper, a text loyalty scheme, aimed to help drive footfall and sales from existing customers.
Speaking at the Awards ceremony, Eamonn said: “We are honoured to be named Northern Irish Rising Star High Street.
“We are hugely grateful to both the Great British High Street Awards and Visa for putting our beloved high street on the map.
“It is undoubtedly the commitment, hard work, dedication and drive of the whole community of Newry and the surrounding area that has helped us to win this award.”

Pictured with the award for Newry City Centre, winner of the Rising Star category for Northern Ireland at the Great British High Street Awards 2019, in proud partnership with Visa are Peter Murray, Newry Business Improvement District Chairperson and Eamonn Connolly.