THREE Somerset independent retailers have been named among just eight finalists in a national awards scheme celebrating the very best of Britain's high streets.
Health & Remedy in Chard, Not Just Pets in Bath and Rocket and Bird in Taunton have all reached the final of the Love Your High Street Awards 2026, organised by the British Independent Retailers Association (BIRA).
More than 600 nominations were received for this year's awards before a panel of judges selected a shortlist of eight businesses from across the UK.
The public is now being invited to vote for the overall winner.
The finalists represent a range of sectors, from bookshops and tea rooms to specialist retailers, with Somerset accounting for three of the eight places on the national shortlist.
Announcing the finalists, Andrew Goodacre, chief executive of Bira, said: “Every one of these businesses shows what makes independent retail so special.
“They are all evidence that indie retail is very much alive and kicking and has a bright future with right support through central government policies.
“Choosing a shortlist was genuinely difficult, and now it's over to the public to decide who deserves to take the title.”
The full list of finalists includes A Darn Good Yarn in Cornwall, Garden King in Derbyshire, Health & Remedy in Chard, Jackson's, the Herbalists of Yorkshire in Doncaster, Not Just Pets in Bath, Rocket and Bird in Taunton, That Little Bookshop in Stafford and The Mug Tree Tea Room in West Sussex.
The awards celebrate independent businesses that make a positive contribution to their local communities and help keep Britain's high streets thriving.
Bira said the competition aims to recognise the local retailers that continue to play an important role in towns and cities across the country.
Public voting is now open and will close on October 11, with the winner set to be announced on October 26.
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