Shoppers urged to vote for local favourites in High Street Heroes Awards 2026

(L-R): Paul Frew MLA, Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, Paula Campbell of Fullan’s Food Hall Portglenone, RetailNI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts and Jon Burrows MLA.

People across Ballymena and the wider Mid and East Antrim area are being encouraged to put their favourite shops, retail workers and high streets in the running for recognition on the Northern Ireland stage.

The public vote is now open for the High Street Heroes Awards 2026, giving customers the final say on which independent retailers, employees and town centres deserve to be celebrated.

Retail NI brought the campaign to Portglenone this week with a visit to Michael Fullan’s Eurospar, where local retailers and community representatives joined Mayor of Mid and East Antrim Alderman Thomas Gordon and Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts to encourage people to get behind their local favourites.

Public decides the winners

Unlike many industry awards, High Street Heroes has no judging panel. Winners are determined entirely by nominations and votes from the public.

Voting opened through Belfast Live on Monday, 3 August and will remain open until the beginning of September, ahead of the awards ceremony on 23 September 2026.

VOTE HERE!

The campaign is intended to recognise the businesses and people often at the centre of everyday community life — from family-run butchers and bakeries to coffee shops, convenience stores, fashion retailers, post offices and individual employees.

It also gives communities the opportunity to put their entire town or village forward for High Street of the Year.

Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI, said:

“Independent retailers are at the heart of communities across North Antrim, providing essential services, supporting local jobs and helping to keep our towns and villages vibrant.

“High Street Heroes is all about giving the public the chance to celebrate the independent retailers, local businesses and town centres that make a real difference every day.

“These awards are different because they are decided by the public. There are no judges. It is local shoppers, customers and communities who decide who deserves to be recognised.

“We want people in Portglenone, Ballymena and across North Antrim to get involved and show their support. Whether your High Street Hero is a family-run butcher, a brilliant bakery, a much-loved convenience store, a local fashion retailer, a neighbourhood post office or a high street that brings the whole community together, now is the time to nominate them.

“Retailers are facing significant pressures, from rising costs to retail crime, and it is more important than ever that we recognise the businesses, people and services that help keep our high streets strong, safe and vibrant.”

Two new awards for 2026

This year’s competition introduces two categories: Best Post Office and Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year.

The additions broaden the awards beyond retail businesses themselves to recognise services and partnerships that can play an important role in keeping town and village centres connected and safe.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Alderman Thomas Gordon, said:

“The High Street Hero Awards provide a fantastic opportunity for the people of Mid and East Antrim to recognise the dedication, commitment and hard work of our local retailers. These businesses make a vital contribution to our towns, villages and local economy.

“Across the borough, we are fortunate to have a diverse mix of independent retailers, family-run businesses and well-known high street names. I would encourage customers to get behind their favourite local business and nominate the individuals and teams who deserve to be recognised on the Northern Ireland stage.

“As a community-focused borough, we are also delighted to welcome the introduction of the Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year category. Through our Policing and Community Safety Partnership we work closely with local Neighbourhood Policing Teams across Mid and East Antrim. This category is a fitting opportunity to recognise all the outstanding work and commitment of these officers to help keep our communities safe.”

Who can people support?

The High Street Hero Award categories for 2026 are:

• Best Butcher

• Best Coffee Shop

• Best Convenience Store

• Best Deli / Bakery

• Best Fashion Retailer

• Best Forecourt

• Best Generalist Retailer

• Best Healthcare Retailer

• High Street of the Year

• Best Homeware Retailer

• Best Off Licence

• Best Independent Retailer Employee

• Overall Independent Retailer

• Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year

• Best Post Office

The awards are powered by Retail NI and supported by National Lottery operator Allwyn, media partner Belfast Live, SSE Airtricity and GigGrafter.

For Ballymena and communities across Mid and East Antrim, the message is simple: if there is a local business, employee or high street you believe deserves recognition, the public vote is now the opportunity to put their name forward.

Voting is available online by tapping the button below, and will remain open until the beginning of September, with the winners set to be celebrated at the High Street Heroes Awards on 23 September 2026.

VOTE HERE!

This year’s High Street Heroes launch video can be viewed below.