Public asked to back local businesses as awards voting begins
Public voting has opened for Aberdeenshire Council’s inaugural Heart of the High Street Awards, a county-wide celebration of independent businesses and community champions operating in town centres. Residents can cast their votes until 30 August for a shortlist of 24 businesses spread across eight categories, covering areas such as retail, hospitality, leisure, and health and wellbeing.
The awards form part of the local authority’s wider Heart of the High Street campaign, designed to sustain footfall and promote enterprise at a time when physical retail continues to face difficult trading conditions. The programme sits alongside regional and national efforts, including the Scotland Loves Local campaign, to encourage spending with neighbourhood businesses and bolster local economies.
What the awards cover
Finalists were drawn from public and business community nominations and selected by an independent judging panel. The shortlist reflects a broad geographic mix across Aberdeenshire, with enterprises from towns including Huntly, Aboyne, Kintore, Stonehaven, Ellon, Fraserburgh, Banff and Inverurie. As well as sector-based categories, two cross-cutting awards will shine a light on civic contribution and new enterprise:
- Loves Local Ambassador – recognising individuals or businesses that consistently champion their community.
- New Business – highlighting operations established within the past two years.
To be eligible, nominees must operate from a physical premises within an Aberdeenshire town centre, ensuring the recognition focuses on the face-to-face businesses that underpin local main streets.
Support beyond the awards
Alongside the public vote, the council is working with Business Gateway to provide customer service training and development support for independent operators. This is intended to help businesses improve service standards, build loyalty and adapt to changing consumer expectations, complementing the promotional lift offered by the awards themselves.
Key dates and what happens next
Residents have several weeks to take part before the winners are announced at a ceremony in September. The event will be held at the Holiday Inn in Westhill and will be co-hosted by the Provost of Aberdeenshire, Judy Whyte, alongside food and drink journalist Julia Bryce. The awards are designed to recognise excellence while nudging shoppers to rediscover their local high streets over the summer.
| Milestone | Detail |
|---|---|
| Public voting window | Open now until 30 August |
| Awards ceremony | September, Holiday Inn, Westhill |
| Hosts | Provost Judy Whyte and Julia Bryce |
Why it matters for town centres
Aberdeenshire’s town centres have experienced the familiar mix of rising costs, competition from online retail and changing shopper behaviour. The council’s campaign places emphasis on customer experience and community identity to keep more spending local. By putting the choice in residents’ hands, the awards aim to spotlight businesses that are both resilient and rooted in place—shops and services that provide local jobs, training opportunities and a sense of connection on the high street.
The initiative also responds to a growing recognition that small improvements—such as enhanced service, consistent opening hours and collaborative marketing—can cumulatively make main streets more attractive. Training offered through Business Gateway is designed to help proprietors embed those practices, with the awards offering public recognition for those who already excel.
How residents can participate
Voters are encouraged to review the 24 shortlisted businesses and cast their ballot before the 30 August deadline. Details on how to vote and the full shortlist are being shared by Aberdeenshire Council through its campaign channels. Residents who already have a favourite café, salon, shop or fitness studio can lend visible support by submitting a vote, and by continuing to use local businesses throughout the year.
- Vote before 30 August to have your say on this year’s winners.
- Look out for updates from Aberdeenshire Council and Business Gateway on training and the final results in September.
- Keep supporting local by shopping, eating and accessing services on your nearest high street.
The Heart of the High Street Awards programme is framed as part recognition and part practical support: celebrating what is already working on Aberdeenshire’s main streets, and equipping more independents to thrive. With a short public voting window and a clear county-wide shortlist, the initiative offers a straightforward way for residents to back the businesses that keep their town centres active and welcoming.
