• Visa is calling on towns across the UK to share their success stories for ‘Let’s Celebrate Towns 2024.’

• Selected towns will have a chance to receive £15,000 towards a community initiative, as well as a package of support for local businesses.

• Towns encouraged to call on their local authorities and community groups to enter for a chance to be recognised at the awards ceremony in March.

Visa, alongside the British Retail Consortium (BRC), are today announcing that ‘Let’s Celebrate Towns’ – the nationwide showcase designed to recognise towns across the UK that are helping local businesses and communities to thrive – is returning for 2024.

The initiative will build on its success from 2023, which saw direct investment in a range of exciting community projects, from historical tourism in Annan (Scotland), to cultural events in Pontypridd (Wales). This 2024 edition will provide new opportunities to celebrate the innovative initiatives from towns across the UK while encouraging further adoption of best practice business-led growth across the nation.

Applications are open in four categories which have been identified by Visa’s ‘Towns Vitality Roadmap’ as integral to supporting the economic growth of towns: business environment, people & skills, infrastructure, and sustainability.

Mandy Lamb, Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Visa, commented: “Supporting businesses of all sizes across the UK is at the core of what we do at Visa. With our ‘Let’s Celebrate Towns’ initiative we want to contribute to a future where towns thrive as vibrant economic and communal centres, enriching lives and fostering growth. With the return of ‘Let’s Celebrate Towns’ for 2024, we encourage towns to step forward and share their stories, showcasing not only what makes them unique but also how they are adapting to new challenges and taking advantage of untapped growth opportunities."

Helen Dickinson, CEO, British Retail Consortium, added: “I am delighted to be continuing this partnership with Visa to celebrate the diversity of our towns and what makes them great places to live and work. Following its success in 2023, and the valuable insights gained from different towns across the country, I look forward to hearing more examples of how areas are helping to support high streets and communities, and where best practice can be spread more widely across the country.”

Lorna Robinson from Bromsgrove, winner of the Champion Award for England, commented: “Since winning this award, we have formed an independent business group to help spotlight our town and its thriving food scene – this is the first time that businesses have come together to discuss the high street and collaborate on unlocking its potential.”

Towns can get involved by encouraging local authorities and community groups to apply. By entering, UK towns have the chance of attending a national awards ceremony and being one of eight towns recognised for their work and achievements. Towns will be selected by a panel of independent judges, and will receive £15,000 towards a community initiative, as well as a package of support for local businesses.

Entries open on Monday 15th January 2024 and close on Sunday 18th February 2024. To enter please visit (http://www.visa.co.uk/campaign/talk-of-the-town/lets-celebrate-towns.html)

Notes to Editors

**Let’s Celebrate Towns 2024 is a competition independently judged by Promo Veritas and open to residents of the United Kingdom aged 18 or over, who are members of the Local Authority or Town Council relevant organisations of the Town. Entries must be received between 00.01 BST on the 15 January 2024 and 23.59 GMT on the 18 February 2024 inclusive. A maximum of one entry per town per category during the competition period is permitted. A Town is defined as those areas with a population between 10,000 and 150,000 based on the ONS built-up areas population distribution. For full terms and conditions, visit (http://www.visa.co.uk/campaign/talk-of-the-town/lets-celebrate-towns.html)

For further information, including requests for images or interview, please contact Grayling: visatott@grayling.com

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at Visa.co.uk

About the British Retail Consortium

The British Retail Consortium is the go-to trade association for UK retail businesses. Our purpose is to make a positive difference to the retail industry and the customers it serves, today and in the future. We tell the story of retail, with our members to drive positive change and use our expertise and influence to create an economic and policy environment that enables retail businesses to thrive and customers to benefit.

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