Excitement rising as Wellington waits for results of Rising Star awards
Excitement is building in a Shropshire town which is aiming to pick up a prestigious national accolade for its regeneration work.
Wellington is a finalist in the Government’s Great British High Street awards and will hear next week whether it has been successful in the Rising Star category.
A contingent of representatives from the town will travel to Edinburgh for an awards ceremony on January 23, attended by hundreds of guests from across the UK.
The entry was submitted as part of the Love Wellington campaign – an initiative funded by the Wellington Regeneration Board and led by Sally Themans and team of local volunteers.
"We are very excited about the competition and cannot wait to hear whether we have been triumphant," Sally said. "We have everything crossed.
"Wellington has made huge strides in terms of it regeneration in the last 12 months so we are hopeful of taking the Rising Star award.
“However, we are up against strong competition from some very good entries but it is such a boost for the town to have been shortlisted.
“The awards ceremony will be a wonderful chance to remind people throughout the country of the enhancements being made to Wellington and to raise our profile.”
Love Wellington is active on social and traditional media and works with Telford & Wrekin Council, Wellington Town Council, businesses and wider community in a co-ordinated and strategic way to promote the town.
As part of its regeneration work, Telford & Wrekin Council has funded a number of initiatives in Wellington, such as empty shops grant and a programme of facade improvements, which impressed the judges and formed the mainstay of the entry.
The Great British High Street Awards celebrate the life and soul of communities across England, Scotland Wales and Northern Ireland.
Teaming up with Visa and other partners, the awards aims to help high streets adapt to modern pressures and thrive.
