AN independent councillor is hoping to be recognised for his contributions over the past five years to the success of Bishopthorpe Road after it was nominated for a string of national and regional awards.

The chairman of Bishopthorpe Road Traders Association, Johnny Hayes, topped the poll in his ward after being elected as an Independent Councillor for Micklegate Ward – the latest in a string of the businessman’s accomplishments, which include an award from the Prime Minister.

Mr Hayes also won an award for Britain’s Best Hardware Shop in 2010 and one for Britain’s Best Cookshop North in 2014 for business ventures he runs with his wife, Frankie Hayes.

Set up in 2010, the Bishopthorpe Road Traders Association (BRTA) aimed to sustain the local businesses by helping them weather the recession. Members of the BRTA described Mr Hayes as "the driving force behind setting up the Association" and praised his commitment, and how he quickly retook the reins as chairman after taking a year off in 2013 to ill health.

Mr Hayes said his mission in setting up the BRTA was “to ensure this unique parade of independent shops could survive and prosper despite the trend against local shopping streets. To combat the worst of the recession and ensure the street should survive.”

During Mr Hayes’ reign in charge of the BRTA, he has seen Bishopthorpe Road awarded several accolades including Yorkshire’s Best Dressed Street for the Tour de France in Yorkshire 2014 and a Community Pride Award for Service with a Smile, which is normally given to an individual business and not a whole street.

Bishopthorpe Road was also recognised as one of the top three shopping streets in Britain by the government after reaching the finals of the Great British High Street Awards.

Mr Hayes was himself awarded the Point of Light Award by David Cameron for his work in the BRTA as a community leader and volunteer and was asked by the government to act as a Champion for Local High Streets where he toured the country to spreading news of how a local parade of shops could inspire communities and business to work together.

He has also been appointed as chairman of the Shareholders Committee for Make It York, the city’s new retail and economic development organisation.