THE owner of an independent toy retailer says High Street shops still have a vital role to play.

Former primary school teacher Peter Allinson launched Whirligig Toys in 2012.

It has shops in Brighton’s North Laine as well as Chichester, Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells,

He spoke out as High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP urged businesses, councils, community groups and Business Improvement Districts to put in their entries for the Great British High Street Awards before the August 22 deadline.

More than 175 high streets having already registered their interest in entering the awards since nominations opened in June.

Whirligig Toys stocks products for children of all ages from the under-fives up to 12 and older, specialising in ‘things to make and do’,

The store doesn’t follow licensed trends, film franchises or new fads – its toys are traditional, well-designed and created in collaboration with small independent producers and designers.

Mr Allinson said: “The atmosphere on Brighton’s high street is unique – people travel from all over the country and indeed the world to experience The Lanes.

“No matter where you are in the city centre, there’s always an exciting and thriving independent retailer to browse.

“Our dedication to research and discovery means that customers always have something new and exciting to buy or gift to children of all ages.

“Despite competition from the internet, which is great for shoppers who know what they want, the high street is still important for customers where they receive face-to-face advice and guidance to help them find the item they are after.

“Each of our shops has been really well received with customers telling us that they see us as their trusted, go-to toyshop.”

Whirligig Toys was the first toyshop in the UK to be recognised by ‘Let Toys Be Toys’, a campaign which promotes gender neutral toys and was awarded its first Toymark Award from the group in 2013.

More than 60 MPs have also pledged their support for the Great British High Street Awards 2018, urging their local communities to enter.

High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP said: “The Great British High Street Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate our high street heroes - those dedicated shop keepers, committed community volunteers and creative councils that work tirelessly to ensure our high streets remain the beating hearts of local communities.

“It’s never been easier to enter the awards and showcase the hard work of your community and with two weeks to go it’s time to get those applications in.”

The Great British High Street Awards 2018 are being run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and sponsored by Visa.

They include a competition to find the nation’s leading high streets with winners being named in England, Scotland, Wales and – for the first time – Northern Ireland.

High streets can be entered across two categories: Champion High Street and Rising Star High Street, whilst an overall national winner will also be named.

Shortlisted entries will be announced in September.

TV presenter Simon Reeve, who is a judge at the awards, said: “I’ve spent the last 16 years travelling around the world and investigating what is happening in other countries.

“So I’m really looking forward to being a bit closer to home and meeting the unsung heroes helping the nation’s high streets to thrive.”

For more information about the Great British High Street Awards 2018 and to enter you can go to http//thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.