Speaking ahead of the competition launch in High Street Crickhowell, High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP said:

The government awards celebrate the dedicated shop keepers, the committed volunteers and forward-thinking councils who together are creating vibrant and dynamic high streets that are loved by their communities.

Last year more than 200 high streets across the land battled it out in a hotly-contested competition to be crowned Britain’s best.

I would encourage communities across the nation to enter, so their high streets and the people working in them gain the recognition they fully deserve.

The Great British High Street Awards 2019, run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in partnership with Visa and backed by other supporters, recognises and celebrates local achievements on the UK’s high streets and supports the communities in which we live and work.

The campaign includes a competition to find the UK’s best and most improved high streets within two categories:

• the Champion Award to celebrate the UK’s best high streets
• the Rising Star Award for those taking the lead and working to adapt and diversify

For each, a winner will be named in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as there being an overall UK winner.

Nominations for the awards can be made by local authorities, Business Improvement Districts and – for the first time – groups of high street retailers, from today. Shortlisted entries will be announced in August 2019.

In addition, individuals will also be recognised through the High Street Hero Award which will identify those who, through their innovation, energy, time or enthusiasm, stand out as leading lights on their high streets and in their local communities.

Nominations for the Great British High Street Awards 2019 are now open. To find out more, visit The Great British High Street and follow on

There will be 26 short-listed entries in the Champion High Street category, 13 for England, 6 for Scotland, 4 for Wales and 3 for Northern Ireland. There will be 12 short-listed entries for the Rising Star category.

Ways the government is backing the high street

The Budget saw business rates relief cut small retailers’ bills by a third, building on over £13 billion of business rates support since 2016.

In response to recommendations from the independent expert panel, led by Sir John Timpson, the government has recently launched a £675 million Future High Streets Fund to help improve infrastructure and access to high streets, put historic buildings back to use and make town centres fit for the future.

We have also announced a Town Centre Task Force to give local leaders expert advice and support in implementing their plans to revitalise their local high streets.

The Open Doors scheme will see empty shops being opened up to community groups offering services to the most vulnerable in our communities.

Through the planning system we are helping to support change on the high street, making it easier for high streets to adapt for the future, with a wider range of retail, residential and other uses.

We are empowering businesses to contribute to the success of their high street by providing loans to establish Business Improvement Districts across the country.

Competition launches in reigning high street champion Crickhowell – nominations are now open.

Travel advice for fans travelling to Belarus for the Belarus v Northern Ireland Euro 2020 qualifying match on 11 June 2019.

Travel advice for fans travelling to Belarus for the Belarus v Northern Ireland Euro 2020 qualifying match on 11 June 2019.

Date: Tuesday 11 June 2019

Venue: Borisov Arena, Borisov

Kick-off time: 9:45pm local time

In addition to the following information, please check out our travel advice for Belarus.

Passports and visas

• All British national passport holders (except those entering on a diplomatic or official passport) can now enter Belarus for a maximum of 30 days without a visa (the day you arrive counts as day one, regardless of arrival time).
• Visa free entry and exit will only be allowed at Minsk International Airport and you’ll need to show documentary evidence of medical insurance to the value of 10,000 euros and funds equivalent to 25 euros per day. This can be in the form of cash, credit card or travellers cheques in any currency.
• If you wish to stay longer than 30 days, or plan to enter on a diplomatic or official passport, you’ll need a visa.
• If you’re travelling immediately from/to a Russian airport you’ll need a visa.
• If you enter Belarus at any other border point other than Minsk International Airport then this visa-free arrangement doesn’t apply and you’ll need a visa.
• your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 3 months from the date of entry into Belarus
• anyone staying for more than 5 days in Belarus must register online or with the local police office (OVIR) in the district in which they are staying. Registration will normally be arranged by your hotel. If you’re not staying in a hotel registration must be organised by your host. There are fines for not registering in time.

Getting to/from the airport

Minsk airport is located 40 km from Minsk and 65 km from Borisov. Visitors mostly prefer to stay in Minsk and travel to Borisov for the match.

To Minsk

It takes 35 to 40 minutes to get from the airport to Minsk city centre by taxi; taxis are the most convenient way to get to central Minsk; for a journey to Minsk city centre expect to pay between 30 to 40 BYN (Belarusian roubles). 1 GBP ~ 2.60 BYN.

Remember to always ask about the price before you start your journey.

Buses run a 24/7 (every 20 to 30 minutes during the day) service from the airport to the central bus/railway station. The price is 4 BYN. Details on departure times and route can be found on the Minsk International Airport website.

To Borisov

Taxi is the only option to get from the airport to Borisov. It takes 50 to 60 minutes to get to Borisov city centre. For this journey expect to pay between 70 to 80 BYN.

Getting to the stadium: Borisov Arena

There will be coaches organised by for the fans coming from Minsk. Coaches will depart from Lenin street (metro station Pershamayskaya) opposite to the Concert Hall Minsk

From Minsk (70 km)

• taxis are considered the easiest and most convenient way to get to the stadium from Minsk, but also the most expensive. You should expect to pay approximately 60 to 70 BYN
• if you take a local train from the Minsk Passazhyrskiy railway station (central railway station) to Pechinskiy station (1 km from Borisov Arena) it takes 60 to 90 minutes to reach the stadium
• there is also a fast train from Minsk Passazhyrskiy to Borisov station (7 km from Borisov Arena). You should then take a taxi from the station to reach Borisov Arena (approximate price is 7 BYN)
• it’s better to use the fast train on the way to Borisov as well as on the way back to Minsk as local train don’t run regularly and can be slow
• small buses to Borisov (called marshrutka) depart every 10 to 20 minutes from the metro station Vostok (eastern part of the city, close to the National Library) and cost 4 BYN. They stop at Borisov bus station which is 3 km to Borisov Arena. Please remember that on your way back to Minsk you can’t use this transport option as the last bus departs at 9 pm.

From Borisov

• the Borisov Arena is located in the Western part of the city. The easiest way to get to the stadium is by taxi, the cost of which to the site from any part of the city shouldn’t exceed 10 BYN
• give yourself plenty of time to travel regardless of which mode of transport you choose. While taxis are your best option mainly, there are not many of them, and demand for their services will be high

The match

Where fans should enter the stadium

• Northern Ireland supporters will be seated in sectors G1 and G2 – see the stadium plan

• to enter the stadium you should use gates located between sectors G1 and F4

• places for disabled supporters will be available places in sectors A1, A2 and A3. To enter your places please use gates located between sectors E1 and D3

Entry procedures access to the stadium can be slow. Expect to be searched. To avoid last minute delays get to the stadium at least 90 minutes before the kick-off.

Restrictions In addition to items which would usually be prohibited in the UK, the following items are not allowed in the stadium: flares, fireworks, alcohol, cans, glass, plastic bottles or containers, lighters – if you do bring any of these items they’ll be confiscated by the Belarusian authorities.

Local information

Climate and time

The average temperature in June is around 16ºC. You can find weather information here

Minsk is plus 2 hours BST

Language

The main languages are Belarusian and Russian.

Crime

• crime levels in Minsk are generally low, but muggings do occur from time to time
• take sensible precautions: be vigilant, avoid carrying large sums of money and try to avoid walking alone at night

Personal security

• look after your personal belongings, in particular your passport and your money
• carry a photocopy of the personal details pages of your passport and keep it in a safe place separate from your passport

Disabled travellers

• the Belarusian authorities have advised that there will be a designated area at the stadium for supporters with disabilities
• generally, while things are steadily improving, Minsk has limited facilities for the disabled traveller – the pavements, even on the main roads can be difficult to negotiate for those with disabilities

Road safety

• pedestrians should be vigilant at all times when crossing roads; red traffic lights and zebra crossings don’t necessarily mean a car will stop; use the underpasses where available
• when using a taxi make sure it has working seatbelts; some cars are poorly maintained
• accidents happen, mainly due to poor or reckless driving and inconsistent enforcement of traffic rules
• do not ‘jay walk’ – cross the road only when the green man alights. You’re liable to be fined if you do jay walk

Religion

• most of the population of Belarus is Christian (mostly Orthodox); Belarus is a largely secular society and religion is usually considered a private matter
• respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure they don’t offend other cultures or religious beliefs

Telephones

• the international dialling code for Belarus in +375; before travelling check with your mobile phone provider that it will work in Minsk
• local sim cards are available with Velcom, MTS and Life being the leading mobile operators; you can buy local sim cards only in the mobile operator’s shops showing your passport

Currency

• all goods and services are paid in local currency (Belarusian Rouble – BYN); sterling, US dollars and Euros are easily exchanged; major hotels and international supermarkets and restaurants accept credit and debit cards
• ATMs in Minsk will almost always accept UK credit and debit cards; before leaving the UK, let your bank know you’re travelling to Belarus

Consular assistance

If there’s a genuine emergency during your visit to Minsk (e.g. one involving accident, injury or loss/theft of your passport) call +375 17 2298200 and follow the instructions to be put through to a consular officer.

Lost or stolen passports

If your passport is lost or stolen report the loss to the local police as soon as possible and get a copy of the police report. You can’t travel back to the UK without a valid travel document. You’ll need to apply to the Consular Section of the British Embassy Minsk for an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). Please see our ETD web page for more information.

Lost or stolen credit/debit cards

If you lose your wallet or purse try to cancel your credit/debit cards as soon as possible. British consular officials can’t give you money to help you return home. You can transfer money from the UK using many of the commercial money transfer agencies in Minsk, including Western Union. You can also use most major credit and debit cards to obtain money from ATMs.

For more information visit the British Embassy Minsk web page.

Our address is:

Tel: +375 17 2298200 (24 hrs)

Email

The consular section of the British Embassy in Minsk is open to visitors from Monday to Thursday from 9:00am to 5:30pm and on Friday from 9:00am to 3:00pm, excluding public holidays.

You can also check our Travel advice for Belarus.

Emergency services numbers

• Fire – 101
• Police – 102
• Ambulance – 103

Enjoy the game and your visit to Belarus!

The CMA has provisionally found that 4 pharmaceutical companies broke the law by agreeing not to compete in the supply of an anti-nausea drug in the UK.