Hi! Street Food Stories will see the nation nominate its favourite high street eateries and the stories behind them
The public body Historic England has launched a campaign to celebrate the rich and diverse history of Britain’s high streets. Hi! Street Food Stories, aims to help people rediscover high streets through celebrating the unique foods and the people, history and stories behind them that make local places special.
The campaign has been devised and delivered by TMW Unlimited, part of UNLIMITED. The first phase, running across social, will encourage people from across the England to nominate their favourite high street eatery and the ‘food story’ behind it. Historic England wants to celebrate the unique stories that make places special and make people proud of their high streets.
Whether it’s a building with an intriguing past, an owner with a story to tell, or a secret recipe passed down for generations, Hi! Street Food Stories aims to celebrate high streets across the nation and the diverse food and history that them so special.
Members of the public will be able to nominate their favourite local high street eatery, and share the unique story about that place by liking and commenting on Historic England’s Instagram post, sharing the story and tagging the local eatery. There will be then be a public vote, with the winning spot being announced on 31 August. This is part of Historic England’s ongoing work to protect and promote the nation’s historic high streets and encourage people to reconnect with them. Through this, Historic England wants to champion stories across England that connect people and place.
TMW Unlimited were awarded the opportunity to work on the campaign via UNLIMITED’s position on the framework responsible for public service campaigns through a tender process. This is amongst the first campaigns to go live after a raft of Government and public sector wins, including HMRC and the Cabinet Office.
Amy Pitts, Director of Communications & Public Engagement at Historic England, said: “We’re very proud to launch Hi! Street Food Stories, and to showcase England’s diverse food history and its connection with our historic high streets. We hope this campaign, working with TMW Unlimited, will spark connection and invite people back to enjoy their local high streets once more.”
Chris Mellish CEO, TMW Unlimited said: “Like lots of people, we’re all pretty passionate about where we’re from, and just as passionate about food. It’s been a privilege to work with Historic England on a campaign that celebrates both, whilst championing the UK’s diversity. Hi! Street Food Stories is all about inspiring an emotional connection to local areas, and giving people the motivation and meaning to drive them to visit, which is the essence of what we’re all about. That, combined with the fact it fell into a sweet spot of our integrated capabilities meant that this was a fantastic brief to work on.”