What’s so special about Bishopthorpe Road? just about everything, as The Press discovers.

It’s hip, it’s friendly and it’s making waves left, right and centre. Bishopthorpe Road in York is packed with great shops and traders who put their heart and soul into making their street the heart of their community.

First Clementhorpe, the area around this vibrant high street,was hailed as York’s answer to Notting Hill by theTimes newspaper when they rated it at number nine in the nation’s 30 coolest places to live.

Then J’Adore Bishy Rue, the street party organised as part of Yorkshire’s Tour de France celebrations, was beamed into homes around the world as the peloton streamed through Bishopthorpe Road on day two of the thrilling race last summer.

Judges in York’s Community Pride awards, organised by The Press and City of YorkCouncil,have since voted the Bishopthorpe Road Traders’ Association winners of their Service with a Smile award for the way they defied the recession with a fantastic variety of shops and a truly welcoming atmosphere.

The traders have also been recognised in a national competition that places their street among the nation’s best.They have been shortlisted in the best local parade category of the Government’s own Great British High Street Awards.

Johnny Hayes,chairman of the traders’ association, recalled how they decided to enter the awards: “We had a look at the criteria and thought that our own street stood up rather well against it so decided, ‘Why not give it a go?’,” he said. “The judges are looking for high streets that are linked closely to their communities and that is what we try to do here. At the very least we get to fly the flag for York.

“Bishopthorpe Road is a fine example of a thriving local shopping area. At its core is an ethos built on the power of hard work and determination, where businesses work together to protect and enhance the community they serve.

“Our actions are not purely about making money. It is about giving something back. And that something is a street which the community calls its own, where people know you by name, where sustainable jobs are created, virtually anything you need is sold and great street parties are thrown. Every community needs a street like Bishy Road.”