Winners of the Great British High Street Competition 2015 will receive digital skills training from Google.
The Digital Garage on Tour will provide tailor-made tips to one hundred high street shops, bars and restaurants winning in each of the contests categories.
This will include sessions for businesses on finding and keeping customers online and the chance to have one-to-one consultations with Google specialists to chat through their businesses digital needs.
The competition, which is sponsored by Boots, the Post Office, Costa and M&S, runs until 1 Septemeber and gives towns, cities and villages the chance to celebrate how they are helping to revitalise Britain’s high streets.
Eileen Naughton, Google‘s MD for the UK and Ireland, said: "Small businesses with a strong web presence grow more than twice as quickly as those without, but while many retailers and businesses know the importance of being online, getting beyond a basic website can seem tricky.
"That’s why we’re sharing our knowledge and expertise by bringing The Digital Garage on Tour to Great British High Street winners, ensuring everyone gets the digital skills they need so that being online is a real growth engine for businesses."
High Streets Minister Marcus Jones commented: "This is an amazing offer. Shops, bars and restaurants will get some of the best in the business to review and improve their digital skills which can be so crucial in helping our high streets to thrive.
"High streets are a vital part of the fabric of Britain – providing great spaces for friends and family to meet and socialise, powering the retail sector and supporting thousands of jobs.
"We want to recognise and celebrate the best high streets across the country. That’s why I’m delighted to announce this new prize to help hundreds of high street retailers innovate and grab the opportunity to not just be great physical businesses but also great digital businesses too."
