IT IS a market town that has proved that people power can win the fight.

When residents and businesses united in battle to stop a supermarket giant opening a store in their neighbourhood, not only did they succeed, but traders reaped the rewards as the high street flourished and shoppers started spending more locally.

Now its unwavering community spirit has helped Bishop’s Waltham into the final of a race to win a top national award and be crowned Best Market Town in the UK 2014.

It is a coveted title that local people are keen to win.

A victory in the Great British High Street contest could also bring a reward of more than £7,000 as well as the offer for close support and mentoring to achieve further improvements in the winning town.

For three years they fought a plan by Sainsbury’s to open a superstore on the edge of their historic town, creating a Town Team and collecting a 3,000-strong petition against the scheme.

It was a proposal first tabled in 2009 that locals feared would signal the death knell for independent businesses, some of which had been family-run through generations.

And so the fightback gathered pace, winning over politicians and bringing a community together like never before.

It even had the backing of TV celebrity Amanda Holden, who grew up in Bishop’s Waltham and had spent some of her teenage years working in Hylands, the local greengrocers, on weekends while at school.

In the end, just a small store and petrol station opened for business on the town’s outskirts – meanwhile the handful of once-empty premises have now been filled and business is booming for local retailers.

With more than 60 traders, Bishop’s Waltham has become a hub for residents and visitors during the past two years, with a series of events launched to increase footfall.

They include a murder mystery event, a town trail exploring Bishop’s Waltham’s history, a pumpkins on parade event where everyone was asked to display pumpkins in the high street, and its very own Come Dine With Us to celebrate the super food town eateries had to offer.

In August a survey of Bishop’s Waltham traders revealed the success of the Sainsbury’s fight-back, when it found that business confidence is at an all-time high.

No fewer than 78 per cent of traders reported an increase in turnover and 89 per cent said they believed the economic prosperity of the high street was on the rise.

Hylands greengrocers has been a part of the town for more than 35 years. Current owner Phil Channon runs the business with his son Neil and has been serving local produce to residents for 26 years.

He said: “It just goes to show that all the hard work throwing events, investing in the street and investing in the independent shops has been worth it.

“People around here are so friendly, it’s a real community where everybody knows each other and I think it’s important that we celebrate the people working hard behind the scenes who are getting this town on the map. There’s a lot going for it.”

Rachel Wells, owner of boutique store Tashinga, has been a part of the High Street for 14 years. She said: “It’s a real jewel, everything is so beautiful here and we have a very balanced street of shops, cafes and restaurants which are becoming increasingly popular for people living in the area.”

Staff at Stainer’s Bakery, Gaye Smith and Paula Hoath, said: “There is so much to celebrate about this town. This award can only be a good thing, everyone has been so supportive and really worked to put money back into the community.

“We live and work here so our lives are based in this town and it’s so exciting that it’s being recognised for everything it has to offer.”

Bishop’s Waltham will go into battle with Mansfield, in Nottinghamshire, and Belper, in Derbyshire, for the market town prize, in a competition run by the Future High Street Forum.

A total of £50,000 will be shared out among seven category winners – to be decided by a panel of judges who will be visiting contenders in the coming weeks.

They will be looking for new and innovative ways to attract and keep shoppers before announcing the winners of each category next month.

Tony Kippenberger, chairman of the Town Team, said: “There has been a lot of hard work invested in this town to retain and enhance its unique character, so we are all delighted with the result of reaching the final three to win Best Market Town in UK 2014.

“It’s a very exciting time. When the Sainsbury’s application was approved we had eight empty stores in the high street. Two years later and everywhere is full so it’s onwards and upwards.

“Reaching the final three of the competition is incredible, there has been such a boost in community events and business in the area. We really want to create a bigger awareness of what is on offer here because it’s so important to support what a market town can offer.”

MP George Hollingbery said: “To be shortlisted is a huge achievement for Bishop’s Waltham and for all those who have worked so hard through the Town Team initiative to make it such a vibrant place to visit and shop in.

“I have been involved in several campaigns to help Bishop’s Waltham remain a thriving centre of independent shops and I opposed the Sainsbury’s store, so this a wonderful recognition of a great town and of all those people who have gone the extra mile to get this far.”