CARDIGAN just missed out on top honours at the Great British High Street Awards 2018.

The town was nominated in the ‘Rising Star’ category but lost out to Cowbridge at the awards ceremony held in London last night (November 15).

However, the town received one of only four highly commended awards for the whole of the UK at the event, run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government.

Cardigan High Street, Pendre and Priory Street were shortlisted from more than 150 entries for the awards, which aim to find the most ambitious high streets throughout the UK.

Judges visited all the nominated towns before making their decision, while there was also a public vote which accounted for 30 per cent of the final total.

Cllr Clive Davies was also nominated in the High Street Hero category for his work in driving the Cardigan town app, free Wi-Fi and street furniture projects. In the final three shortlist, he lost out to Emma Corfield Walters, from Crickhollow.

Cllr Davies, who attended the London ceremony, said: “This morning I have been around the high street thanking the main contributors to the campaign.

“All were very positive about the town and by doing this competition felt it brought the town even more together in its outlook and development of the high street.

“Some new ideas came out of doing the social media activity and promotion work which will be discussed at the next Town Centre Partnership meeting.

Also, by winning this accolade, it’s once again put our market town on the UK map as a place to live, start a business or visit.

“One of the pillars in our award which was mentioned at the ceremony was the digital information available and used - social media for promotion, the app and the Wifi both for promotion but also as a resource for footfall trends to the town on a day-by-day, month-by-month basis, all sent monthly to every shop who requires it.

“That is something which other towns don’t provide and may give those that are looking to open a business the information, intelligence and confidence to come to Cardigan.

“In the meantime, Christmas is coming and I hope that at least some of the gifts bought this year will be bought from a local, independent business in Cardigan.”