REPRESENTATIVES of Reading were in attendance at an awards ceremony celebrating towns across the UK last week.
Reading Central MP Matt Rodda and the town’s mayor, Cllr Alice Mpofu-Coles, were among the attendees of the third Let’s Celebrate Towns Showcase.
The annual initiative acknowledges the significant role of UK towns in driving local economic growth and supporting community-led initiatives, presented by Visa, in partnership with the British Retail Consortium.
The event presents awards focused on six categories identified as key to supporting local growth and development: High Street Transformation, Small Business Support, Future Skills, Connectivity, Circularity, and Powering Change.
The six towns recognised for their outstanding achievements are: Ramsgate, Gosport, Morecambe, Swanley, Malton & Norton, and Wallsend.
Organisers explained that each of the six towns demonstrated ‘commitment to fostering local innovation, driving economic growth, and enhancing community resilience.’
Each awarded town receives £20,000 in funding to be allocated toward a new or ongoing community project, to help economic development, job creation, and small business success.
Mr Rodda said following the event: “I am very proud of our town and I am delighted that we got to the final six towns in the environment award at the Let’s Celebrate Towns Awards in Parliament on Wednesday.
“This was a tribute to the amazing work underway in Reading cutting emissions and speeding up the transition to Net Zero.
“The organisers recognised the work from Reading Borough Council, the voluntary sector, business and residents.”
Mandy Lamb, Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Visa, commented: “We believe that when our towns thrive, the UK as a whole flourishes.
“Many people live and work in these vibrant communities, making it essential to invest in their growth and development. We are proud to highlight the resilience and innovation that define these towns, reinforcing our support for nurturing prosperity and economic opportunity across the UK.”
Helen Dickinson, CEO, British Retail Consortium, added: “Our collaboration with Visa highlights the dynamic role of retail in fostering thriving high streets and vibrant local economies.
“It is encouraging to see many of these towns embracing retail as a key pillar of their economic success.
“The achievements of these winning towns serve as inspiring examples of best practice.”
