TAVISTOCK’S Business Improvement District (BID) manager has been praised by High Streets Minister Marcus Jones for her efforts to better Tavistock.

Lisa Piper and the BID team, are among 13 individuals and organisations to receive a special recognition award by the Minister and Simon Roberts, co-chair of the Future High Streets Forum, as part of the Great British High Street Awards.

The team has been recognised for their innovative approach to both improving the trading environment and preserving Tavistock, a World Heritage Site, in a way which has increased both visitor numbers and the length of visitor stays. 

Lisa’s work has included developing a new parking scheme, improving the town signage and raising funding for the App filming project.

This special recognition adds to the town’s 13 awards, including 11 ‘community in your neighbourhood’ awards, and reaching the National Coach Tourism Awards finals.

High Street Minister Marcus Jones said to Lisa Piper: ‘High streets are the life and soul of cities, towns and villages across the country, but they rely greatly on the support they receive from an army of businesses, traders and volunteers.

‘You and the other Special Recognition award winners are fantastic examples of the people that give their all – day in and day out – to make our communities better places to live, work and socialise.

‘I’d like to commend you for your fantastic contribution and thank you for all your hard work.’

Lisa Piper said: ‘I’m really pleased to receive this award. Tavistock BID works hard to ensure that Tavistock thrives. This award shows that the work we do is important in developing the town, it also recognises the progress Tavistock is making.

‘It is only fair to mention Tavistock Town Council and West Devon Borough Council as without the working relationships we have developed a lot of the projects would not be as successful as they are.’

A record number of 230 high streets entered the Great British High Street Awards 2015 and nearly 200,000 votes were cast across the seven award categories. 

Bishopthorpe Road in York was crowned Britain’s best high street at an award ceremony in London in November.

The special recognition category has been introduced to focus on individuals and organisations that are making a real difference to our high streets.

The awards are one of a number of initiatives to help champion high streets as the cornerstones of the community.

Nominations for the Great British High Street Awards 2016 open later this year. For more information visit www.thegreatbritishhigh street.co.uk