Traders on Bristol’s iconic Park Street are hoping their summer of fun will lead to victory in a national competition to find Britain’s best high street.
Park Street became one of the world’s most-famous roads earlier this year when Bristol artist Luke Jerram built a giant waterslide down it and gained global media coverage. 
The thoroughfare has also staged a ‘park on Park Street’ event when the country came to the city, and other events when cars were banned, street entertainers performed and children could play safely on the road.
Now the street is on a three-strong shortlist for the title of Great British High Street in the city category of a new awards scheme.
Judges from the awards were in Bristol on Monday to see its range of independent shops, bars and restaurants.
Park Street is battling it out against Norwich’s Lanes and Style Mile in Glasgow.
Park Street Traders’ and Business Forum – facilitated by Destination Bristol – believe its application stood out because of the way its members have come together to stage highly-effective events.
Destination Bristol’s Eva Stuetzenberger, who chairs the Park Street Traders’ and Business Forum, said: “Park Street managed to cause a real stir this year by staging some fantastic events.
“Most remarkably, all these initiatives that are driving the change in the area are led by the local traders and business themselves, and have created a strong and supportive business community – worthy of winning the prestigious Great British High Street Award.”
The awards, staged for the first time this year, are staged by the Future High Streets Forum. It received more than 135 entries over the seven categories – coastal, market town, city, village, local parade, town centre and London.
Destination Bristol, the destination management partnership for Bristol and South Gloucestershire and a joint venture between Bristol City Council and Business West, works with more than 600 major businesses and strategic partners to increase business competitiveness within the city centre.
