Google Street View Awards 2010: The Winners.

Monday 8th March 2010; Google have today announced the winners of the Google Street View Awards, a celebration of Britain’s best-loved streets as voted for by the public in a nationwide poll supported by VisitBritain, Lonely Planet, Harden’s Guide and a host of celebrity experts.

Over 11,000 people voted within a three week period and competition was fierce. The three winning streets faced tough competition from 48 other streets from across the UK, shortlisted by a panel of experts from the worlds of food, fashion and travel.

Proving it is streets ahead than its competition, The Shambles in York takes the crown for Britain’s Most Picturesque Street. Best Foodie Street goes to Stockbridge High Street in Hampshire who stormed to the top in its category, and Milsom Street in Bath takes the title of Best Fashion Street.

TOP 5 ‘MOST PICTURESQUE’:

1. The Shambles, York

2. Royal Crescent, Bath

3. Grey Street, Newcastle

4. New College Lane, Oxford

5. Pen Cei, Aberaeron

TOP 5 ‘BEST FASHION’:

1. Milsom Street, Bath

2. Stonegate, York

3. Kings Road, London

4. Mathew Street, Liverpool

5. Buchanon Street, Glasgow

TOP 5 ‘BEST FOODIE’:

1. Stockbridge High Street, Hampshire

2. The Shore, Edinburgh

3. Fossgate, York

4. Osbourne Road, Jesmond, Newcastle

5. Hope Street, Liverpool

The awards were created ahead of further imagery being added to Google’s revolutionary Street View tool, which currently allows users to view and navigate 360 degree street-level imagery in 25 British towns, including many of those nominated for the Street View Awards. This week, Street View will be rolled out to cover additional streets from around the UK and Google will work with the winning streets to offer a special guide of the streets, allowing the world to find out more about the nations winning choices and highlighting the key retailers and points of interest.

Shortlisted nominations for each of the award categories were compiled by a panel of experts from the worlds of food, fashion and travel including VisitBritain, TV personalities Julia Bradbury (Countryfile), Jeff Banks (The Clothes Show) and Brix Smith Start (Gok’s Fashion Fix), leading journalists Jo Elvin (Editor, Glamour) and Nicholas Lander (Restaurant Correspondent, Financial Times) and authors David Else (Editor of The Lonely Planet Guide to Great Britain) and Richard Harden (Co-Editor, Harden’s Restaurant Guide).

The experts were asked to nominate streets that fulfilled a pre-set criteria for each category; Britain’s Best Foodie Street needed to offer a unique mix of mouth-watering options which could include fine dining, cafés, market stalls and delicatessens, all covering a diverse mix of food types and price points. Britain’s Best Fashion Street should have an eclectic mix of boutique and high street clothing for all tastes, price ranges and ages, whilst Britain’s Most Picturesque Street should be uniquely British, visually charming, full of character and diverse.

Ed Parsons, Geospatial Technologist for Google said: “The Google Street View Awards are aimed to celebrate the many fantastic streets that Britain has to offer, and the results reveal a diverse cultural landscape of food, fashion and beauty that puts the winning towns firmly on the map.”

THE WINNERS:

The Shambles, York

The Shambles is a bustling centre piece of historic York. The street today is one of the UK’s most visited and has become a wealth of shopping, tourist attractions, restaurants and many other things to see and do, including tours, ghost walks and historic talks. The 15th century buildings lean into the middle of the cobbled street means & the roofs almost touch in the middle. The street is mentioned in the Doomesday book (making it date over 900 years), which makes it one of Europe’s best preserved Medieval street.

Frank Barrett, Travel Editor of The Mail on Sunday said The Shambles is: “Perfect picture postcard olde Englande.”

Ian Addyman, Owner of Past Images photography shop on The Shambles said: “The Shambles is a timeless street full of historic charm and whatever time of year you come here, there is something different to see. There is a real feeling of community amongst shop owners and I think we all feel privileged to work in such a beautiful place. The shops here are all strikingly different and unique. Most people say that if you visit York, then at some point you will walk down The Shambles. It has been the backdrop for many a jigsaw, chocolate box and railway poster and once you visit you will see why.”

Milsom Street, Bath

Milsom Street in Bath, was built in 1762. The buildings were originally grand town houses, but most are now used as shops, offices and banks. Milsom Street has many smart shops and unique boutiques including Jolly Department Store, Cath Kidston, Austen Reed and Duo Shoes. Many of the buildings and shops are listed and just off Milsom Street is an upmarket shopping arcade called Milsom Place.

Hannah Sandling, Stylist and TV Personality said of Milsom Street: “It’s a style conscious treasure trove packed with amazing range of beautiful boutiques and designer clobber. I love to shop in Bath!”

Nikki, sales assistant at Duo shoe shop on Milsom Street: “It’s fantastic news that Milsom Street has been shortlisted as ‘Best Fashion Street’. Bath is DUO’s spiritual home and our Milsom Street store still remains our flagship store thirty years on. The mix of independent boutique labels, high street brands and lifestyle shops makes Milsom Street a vibrant, exciting shopping destination.

Stockbridge High Street, Hampshire

Sitting on the River Test, there is an abundance of independent specialist shops on Stockbridge High Street, including tea rooms, pubs and restaurants, many serving local produce, as well as a familiar high street grocery shop. The High Street is also home to the town’s famous Butchers, John Robinson & Sons – regarded by many as one of the best in the UK – and the award-winning, The Restaurant at The Greyhound, which has received critical praise and is often booked up weeks in advance.

Chloe Scott, Food Editor at Metro newspaper said: “Robinsons (is) one of the best butchers in the UK…plus, the River Test behind it is the best in the country for fly fishing.”

Suzie Fiducia, General Manager of The Restaurant at The Greyhound said: “Stockbridge, in the very heart of the Test Valley, is an old market town and now a great destination for foodies; providing something for every palette and pocket. The Greyhound building is at least 500 years old, but for the past 6 years we have been lucky enough to build up a fantastic local customer base. Not only does Stockbridge boast a famous butchers, independent wine shop and a host of pubs, but some of the best fishing in the country – with a fishmonger and deli soon to open in the High Street the Greyhound finds itself smoking and cooking local fishermen’s wares.”

Press Contact: Taylor Herring – 0208 206 5151