Skipton High Street has beaten its London rivals to be crowned Great Street of the Year 2009 in a prestigious awards ceremony in Liverpool.
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.
The three finalists were picked from a shortlist of ten contestants at a nomination’s dinner at the Cutler’s Hall in Sheffield in May.
The top trio had already come through preliminary rounds and beaten such UK and Irish gems as Donegall Street, Belfast; High Street, Deal; High Street, Oxford; High Street, Rochester; High Street, Wells; Princes Street, Edinburgh and Royal Crescent, Bath.
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.
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