The search is on to find Northern Ireland’s favourite local independent retailers, high streets, and retail teams, as Retail NI officially launches the High Street Hero Awards 2026.
The annual awards give the public the chance to celebrate the local businesses and people who go above and beyond for their communities every day.
Whether it’s the butcher who knows every customer by name, the coffee shop that brings people together, the convenience store that keeps a village connected, the post office providing essential local services, or the high street that remains the heart of a town, High Street Heroes is a chance to give them the recognition they deserve.
The awards are powered by Retail NI and decided by public vote, with shoppers, customers and local communities encouraged to nominate their favourite businesses and help showcase the very best of Northern Ireland’s independent retail sector.
A record number of votes were cast last year, highlighting the strength of public support for local retail across Northern Ireland. In 2025, Coleraine was named High Street of the Year, while Greens of Lisburn took home the Overall Independent Retailer Award. The business also celebrated further success, with Richard Kyle of Greens of Lisburn named Independent Retail Employee of the Year.
This year’s awards include two new categories: Best Post Office and Neighbourhood Policing Team of the Year, recognising the essential services and local partnerships that help keep high streets strong, safe and vibrant.
Launching the awards, Glyn Roberts, Retail NI Chief Executive, said:
“Independent retailers are the lifeblood of communities right across Northern Ireland, and High Street Heroes is our chance to celebrate the businesses, people and places that keep our high streets thriving.
“These awards are different because they are decided by the public. There are no judges. It is local shoppers, customers and communities who decide who deserves to be recognised.
“We want people in every part of Northern Ireland to get involved. Whether your High Street Hero is a family-run butcher, a brilliant bakery, a much-loved convenience store, a local fashion retailer, a neighbourhood post office or a high street that brings the whole community together, now is the time to nominate them.
“This year, we are also proud to introduce new awards recognising the role of post offices and neighbourhood police officers. Retailers are facing significant pressures, from rising costs to retail crime, and it is important that we recognise not only the businesses themselves, but also the people and services that help keep local high streets strong, safe and vibrant.
“From Portaferry to Pomeroy, Newry to Newtownabbey and Strabane to Scarva, we want to see nominations from every town, village and city across Northern Ireland. If there is a local retailer you value, now is the time to show your support.”
Speaking at the launch, Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA said:
“Our retailers are at the heart of our communities, supporting jobs, delivering essential services and helping our local economies thrive.
“Despite the challenges they face, retailers continue to show remarkable resilience, innovation and dedication every day.
“Now is your chance to recognise and celebrate the businesses that make a real difference. Good luck to all the nominees, and don’t forget to vote for your favourite High Street Hero today.”
The High Street Heroes NI Awards are supported by National Lottery operator Allwyn, media partner Belfast Live, SSE Airtricity and GigGrafter.
Bridget Lea, Allwyn’s Managing Director for Retail, said:
“On behalf of everyone at Allwyn, we are honoured to sponsor this year’s High Street Heroes campaign. Retail is hugely important for The National Lottery. We’re proud to be fully supported in stores across Northern Ireland and we’d like to thank all National Lottery retailers for their crucial role in helping raise £33 million for Good Causes every week.
“Helping highlight, recognise and celebrate the huge contribution independent retailers make to their local communities across Northern Ireland is something we feel very passionate about.”
Stephen Gallagher, Managing Director of SSE Airtricity, said:
“Small businesses are at the heart of our communities, and we’re passionate about helping them succeed. This is the third year SSE Airtricity has proudly supported the High Street Heroes Awards, and we continue to be inspired by the resilience, innovation and dedication shown by independent retailers across Northern Ireland.”
“These awards celebrate the positive difference local businesses make every day, strengthening local economies, supporting sustainable communities and helping create places where people can live, work and thrive.”
The 2026 High Street Heroes Awards will be hosted on the 23rd September 2026.
The High Street Hero Award categories are:
Best Post Office
Best Butcher
Best Coffee Shop
Best Convenience Store
Best Deli/Bakery
Best Fashion Retailer
Best Forecourt
Best Generalist Retailer
Best Healthcare Retailer
High Street of the Year
Best Homeware Retailer
Best Off Licence
Best Independent Retailer Employee
Overall Independent Retailer
Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year