Communities across the UK have less than a month to submit applications for Nationwide's Let's Celebrate Towns 2026 programme, which offers five £20,000 prizes to winning towns. The initiative, run alongside Visa, is now in its fourth year and aims to highlight locations supporting local businesses and residents.
Five Categories, Five £20,000 Prizes
The programme invites entire towns to enter across five categories: High Street Revival, Backing Local Business, Protecting Valued Places, Connected Places and Community Pride. Five category champions will each receive £20,000 to invest in their local community.
Judges are seeking innovative projects that breathe new life into high streets, safeguard cherished local landmarks, create community links, and demonstrate local pride. While individual residents cannot apply themselves, entries can be submitted on behalf of a community by an MP's office, a local councillor, a member of the local authority, or a Business Improvement District (BID).
Deadline and How to Apply
Applications take only minutes to complete but must be submitted before the deadline. Entries formally close at 11:59pm on Sunday, October 25.
Rob Cameron, Group Country Manager, UK & Ireland, Visa, said: "Our towns and high streets are the beating heart of our communities and our economy. Since we launched Let's Celebrate Towns, we have been inspired by the businesses, community groups and councils doing brilliant things for the places they call home. With less than a month to go, now is the time to make sure your town's story is heard."
He added: "Whether it's a thriving high street, a new local initiative or a community coming together, we want to celebrate it. Growth starts at home, and we are proud to be shining a light on it alongside Nationwide."
Nationwide's Commitment
Mandy Beech, Group Director of Retail Services, Nationwide, said: "Every town that enters Let's Celebrate Towns is already doing something worth celebrating. Through our Branch Promise, we are committed to championing the Great British High Street, and it has been fantastic to see communities across the UK step forward to share what makes their town special."
She added: "There is still time to take part. If your town has a story to tell, whether that's backing local businesses, protecting valued places or showing real community pride, we would love to hear it before entries close on October 25."
