LOCAL politicians are reminding people to highlight their high street heroes as the competition closing date comes close.

Neath AM, Gwenda Thomas and Rebecca Evans AM, Assembly Member for Mid and West Wales, is encouraging members of the public to nominate some they feel makes a big contribution to their local high street as the closing date of August 10 nears.

The High Street Heroes Awards, part of the Welsh Government’s Support Your High Street Campaign, seek to celebrate and promote small businesses in communities across Wales. Anyone can nominate a retailer they think deserves recognition for their outstanding contribution to their local town or village, as their overall High Street Hero.

People can also nominate business for six, more specific, categories, including food and drink, fashion health and beauty, and leisure, home and garden. Voting will take place on the Support Your High Street Facebook page and entries close on August 10.

Mrs Thomas said: “We have some amazing independent retailers in my constituency. I’ve been particularly impressed by the recent boom of small shops and cafes in Pontardawe, where I have my constituency office. Diversity on the high street is essential, not just for making our communities great places to live, but also for growing the tourism sector in Wales.

“The Welsh Government is doing a lot of practical things to help small retailers, such as the Business Rates Retail Relief Scheme. I really welcome this new initiative as a way of promoting our small businesses. I hope people will want to get involved and share their favourite shops.”

See the Support Your High Street Facebook Page at facebook.com/SupportYourHighStreetWales