Bath businessman Martin Tracy has been named a high street champion by retail queen Mary Portas.
Owner of the Framing Workshop on Walcot Street, Mr Tracy, reached the shortlist of High Street Champion of the Year 2013 after being nominated by fellow Bath traders.
The award was part of the Daily Telegraph's Reinventing the High Street campaign - a year-long scheme to put the heart back into the country's high streets.
Mr Tracy was one of four finalists for the award but the only retailer in the shortlist.
"I couldn't be held up as a champion of the high street without having a sublime street to promote and work with in the first place. In the 25 years I have been trading on Walcot Street our street has never been better – we are currently in a very good place."
Mr Tracy said Walcot Street, like shopping streets across the country, had been through difficult times facing competition from online and out-of-town shopping malls.
"Whilst it's sometimes akin to herding cats, I am very fond of our disparate and eclectic band of traders – that is what makes Walcot Street such fun.
"I am immensely proud to have been selected from hundreds of nominations from right across the country and would like to say thank you to all those who took the time to nominate me for this national recognition."
As part of the award Mr Tracy got to spend half an hour with Ms Portas discussing his work as a trader and chairman of the traders' association, explaining the different initiatives the street used to raise its profile and encourage shoppers.
Speaking to the Daily Telegraph Ms Portas said all of the finalists were brilliant people working very hard.
"I truly admire individuals like Martin, who have a vision over and above the needs of their own business, and who are prepared to fight for it."
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