Newcastle sees streets nominated for worldwide award

Feb 9 2010 by Adrian Pearson, The Journal

ICONIC North East streets have been shortlisted in a competition to find the best in Britain.

Newcastle is already holding its own in the first Google Street View Awards with nominations in each of the three categories.

A panel of experts including TV presenter Julia Bradbury and David Else, editor of The Lonely Planet Guide to Great Britain, have put together the list of hotspots across the country.

Grey Street, in Newcastle’s city centre, is in the running for the prize of Britain’s Most Picturesque Street, being one of 10 finalists alongside celebrated streets including the Shambles in York and the Royal Crescent in Bath.

Last night Theatre Royal chief executive Philip Bernays said: “We are delighted to have been nominated for this prestigious award. We are extremely proud of our beautiful Grade I-listed building, which stands as the crowning glory of what we believe to be without a doubt the most picturesque street in Britain.”

And in the best street for fashion category the city’s Northumberland Street and High Bridge will go up against each other, along with competition from Stonegate in York and Rose Crescent in Cambridge. Osborne Road in Jesmond and Haven Hill in Craster, famed for its Kippers, have been nominated for Britain’s Best Foodie Street.

Claire Western, owner of Skirt Boutique, High Bridge, Newcastle: “The eclectic fashion boutiques and independent music shops of the street strive to offer more than the behemoth that is the generic UK high street.”

To be in with a chance of winning, the street should satisfy both bargain-hunters and label-lovers.

Today the voting opens to the public, who have until February 28 to make their decision. The winning three streets will be crowned Britain’s Best Street 2010 in each category. Internet giant Google will then work with the winning streets to create a bespoke Google Street View tour, allowing the world to find out more about the nation’s final choices.

Ed Parsons, geospatial technologist for Google, said: “We want to celebrate the beauty and culture of Britain and are really excited about the first ever Google Street View Awards.”

:: To cast your vote visit www.maps.google.co.uk/beststreets