Skipton High Street has beaten its London rivals to be crowned Great Street of the Year 2009 in a ceremony in Liverpool last night.

The market town’s cobble-lined thoroughfare beat world-famous shopping hot-spots Kensington High Street and Portobello Road to the title which had been organised by the Academy of Urbanism Awards.

The Urbanism awards promote “inspired urban design and creative space-shaping” and are seen as a chance for architects, developers and members of local authorities to honour design that promotes a sense of civic pride and quality of life.

Judges visited Skipton in August to make their final decision and were impressed by the street’s eclectic mix of historic architecture, modern-day bars and cafes and its market four days a week.

Winning the accolade will allow those associated with the town to use the Great Street of the Year 2009 logo on correspondence and websites and promote the district to the tourist trade.