Visa’s nationwide showcase returns to champion local innovation and growth

• Visa invites towns across the UK to showcase their success stories for the third year of Let’s Celebrate Towns.
• Six winning towns will each receive £20,000 to fund an approved local community initiative.
• Local authorities and community groups are encouraged to enter, with towns recognised at a ceremony in July. 

Visa, a leader in digital payments, has partnered with the British Retail Consortium (BRC) for the third year of Let’s Celebrate Towns – a nationwide initiative designed to spotlight areas of the country helping businesses and communities to thrive.

As the UK’s high streets and town centres continue to evolve, this initiative highlights the exceptional work of local businesses, councils, community groups and champions – all those making a difference.

Over the past two years, Let’s Celebrate Towns has invested in 16 communities around the UK – from Annan, Scotland, where historical tourism is drawing visitors, to Bromsgrove, England, where the local food scene is thriving, and Pontypridd Wales, where cultural events are revitalising the high street.

For 2025, Let’s Celebrate Towns is expanding its categories to again recognise projects that are driving innovation, attracting businesses and shaping local economies. Towns across the UK can enter for a chance to receive £20,000 towards an approved community initiative, with submissions now welcomed across six key categories:

• High Street Transformation
• Small Business Support
• Future Skills
• Connectivity
• Circularity
• Powering Change

Local authorities, parliamentary offices and community groups are encouraged to apply, with entries open from Tuesday 1st April 2025 to Sunday 8th June 2025. Six entries will subsequentially be selected by a panel of independent judges and announced at a ceremony in July. To enter please visit: https://www.visaeupromotions.com/lets-celebrate-towns

Mandy Lamb, Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Visa, commented: “We’re proud to launch our Let’s Celebrate Towns showcase for a third year, showcasing the unique qualities of British towns and their ability to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. With this initiative, we want to recognise and contribute to a future where towns thrive as vibrant economic and communal centres, enriching lives and fostering growth across the country. We look forward to the entries and to celebrating all the many achievements at the award ceremony in July.”

Helen Dickinson, CEO, British Retail Consortium, added: “Retail is a dynamic and essential part of our economy, touching the lives of so many each day and supporting the vibrancy of the communities in which we live. With technology reshaping shopping habits, rising costs, and a slowdown in consumer spending, businesses are innovating to keep pace. We’re excited to partner again with Visa to spotlight those towns leading the way in enhancing local experiences, supporting businesses, and strengthening local economies.”

Lord Richard Best, Co-Chair APPG on New Towns, commented: “Our towns remain the places where we grow up, go to school, shop and play, take exercise and enjoy green spaces. Today there are great examples of towns that are doing well – not least some of our pioneering New Towns – and Let’s Celebrate Towns presents an opportunity to showcase these successes and share insights and inspiration.”

Mandy White from Altrincham, winner of the 2024 Sustainability Award, said: “Altrincham’s residents value the town centre’s environmental upgrades made in recent years. The award has enabled us to replace old wooden planters with modern sustainable ones, featuring water-conserving reservoirs and integrated seating to help bring the local community together. Funds also supported our “Big Ride Out” cycling event for all ages, and the “Petal Pathway”, a paper flower trail guiding visitors through local shops.”