Retail NI brings High Street Heroes campaign to Kilrea

People across Causeway Coast and Glens are being encouraged to vote for their favourite independent retailers, retail teams and high streets.

Retail NI visited Kenny’s Convenience Stores in Kilrea as part of its High Street Heroes campaign, encouraging local people across the wider Kilrea, Coleraine and Causeway Coast and Glens area to nominate and vote for their favourite independent retailers, retail teams and high streets.

The High Street Hero Awards 2026 give the public the chance to celebrate the local businesses and people who go above and beyond for their communities every day.

Following Coleraine’s success as High Street of the Year in 2025, this year’s campaign has particular significance for the town and reflects the strong public support for its local business community.

During the visit, Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts was joined by Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Cllr Dawn Huggins, elected representatives, local retailers and community representatives to encourage shoppers, customers and the wider community to get involved in this year’s awards.

Entries opened on Belfast Live on Monday 3 August and will remain open until the start of September, with voting available online through Belfast Live.

Powered by Retail NI and decided by public vote, the awards encourage shoppers, customers and local communities to nominate their favourite businesses and showcase the very best of Northern Ireland’s independent retail sector.

Whether it is a butcher who knows every customer by name, a coffee shop that brings people together, a convenience store that keeps a local community connected, a post office providing essential services, or a high street that remains at the heart of a town, High Street Heroes is a chance to give them the recognition they deserve.

This year’s awards include two new categories, Best Post Office and Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year, recognising the essential services and local partnerships that help keep high streets strong, safe and vibrant.

Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said:

“Coleraine is a fantastic example of what a strong local high street can offer, and its success in being named High Street of the Year in 2025 was a real tribute to the businesses, retailers and local community who make the town such an important place.

“High Street Heroes is all about giving the public the chance to celebrate the independent retailers, local businesses and town centres that make a real difference every day.

“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 Kilrea, Coleraine and across the wider Causeway Coast and Glens area to get involved and show their support. 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.

“Retailers are facing significant pressures, from rising costs to retail crime, and it is more important than ever that we recognise the businesses, people and services that help keep our high streets strong, safe and vibrant.”

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Dawn Huggins said:

"It was a pleasure to join Retail NI in Kilrea to launch this year's High Street Heroes campaign. Every community has those businesses that people rely on, whether it's for everyday essentials, a friendly face or simply being at the heart of local life.

"These awards are about recognising the people who make that difference. I encourage everyone across Causeway Coast and Glens to nominate the businesses and individuals who deserve to be celebrated."

The High Street Heroes NI Awards are supported by National Lottery operator Allwyn, media partner Belfast Live, SSE Airtricity and GigGrafter.

The 2026 High Street Heroes Awards will take place on 23 September 2026.

The High Street Hero Award categories are:

· 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

· Best Post Office

Know a local business that deserves recognition?

Now's your chance to celebrate the independent retailers, retail teams and high streets that go above and beyond for our communities.

Vote here: www.belfastlive.co.uk/hsh