Mansfield BID has been putting the town on the map — and a government minister has vowed to visit to see for himself how partnership working is helping to revive the town’s high street.

Sarah Nelson, Mansfield BID manager, and Sally Francis, manager of Boots in the Four Seasons Shopping Centre, were asked to present at a prestigious Business In The Community dinner in London.

The event had delegates from the likes of Boots, Costa, Deloitte, IBM, John Lewis Partnership, The Post Office, Santander and EE.

It was as an opportunity to catch up on progress being made as part of the Seeing Is Believing initiative, and brought together representatives from the Future High Streets Forum, and towns and cities across the UK.

Mansfield BID was one of three BIDs invited to take part, and Sarah and Sally updated delegates on the work of the Healthy High Street initiative, a campaign that puts businesses at the forefront of helping to restore civic pride.

Sarah said: “The BID was delighted to share best practice with such a leading group of people and businesses focused on getting things done to make our towns better places.

“Mansfield is driving forward and is operating a unique initiative that has got retailers on board to shout about our town’s successes.

“The work that we do is already beginning to change the perception of Mansfield for the better and people are starting to shout up about all the great things this town has done over recent years.

“At the event, we spoke with Marcus Jones, under secretary of state at the Department of Communities and Local Government. He was interested in our approach and said he would be visiting our town to see for himself all the good work that collaborative, and innovative, thinking is achieving.”

Footfall in Mansfield town centre has risen by 16 per cent compared with the same quarter last year, and more than 50 businesses have signed up to the Healthy High Street Campaign.

More town centre businesses have offered work placements to youngsters, and there has been an increase of 32 per cent in the number of businesses taking part in town centre events.

Sally Francis, a key figure in the Healthy High Streets campaign in Mansfield, said: “I love sharing positive stories about the town, whether that’s with customers or with colleagues.

“Encouraging other retailers and businesses to do the same is part of what we are trying to do so that people know what a great town this is. After all, it’s the largest town in Nottinghamshire and it has so much potential to be even better.”

Sarah added: “It’s a real honour for Mansfield to be asked to present at the dinner so hopefully we have been able, once again, to put Mansfield on the map with very senior people.”