MERRY-MINDED businesses in Stratford showed off their festive flair with an array of displays for the annual Christmas Window Competition.
From polar bear snow scenes to a ‘traditional cycle shop creation’, peacock-inspired decorations and colourful creations, retailers and restaurants alike pulled out all the stops to bring a bit of Christmas spirit to their windows.
The annual contest, organised by Stratforward BID, involved all town centre businesses with street-facing windows.
This year’s theme was simply Christmas, and the competition was split into two categories – independent and national. Judges included Stratforward director Joseph Baconnet and Roy Lodge from the Stratford-upon-Avon Christmas Lights Company.
The winner of the Independent category was one of Stratford’s newest businesses, hairdressers Nashwhite, which impressed the judging panel with a snow scene featuring a local Pashley bicycle in its Sheep Street salon.
Nashwhite co-founder Rob White said: “It was such an amazing surprise and honour to hear that we had won the Christmas Window Competition in our first year trading in Stratford.
“We wanted to bring a little Christmas magic to the town and think our collaboration with fellow traders ‘The Traditional Cycle Shop’ has done just this.”
A close second was The Salon on Henley Street with a polar bear snow scene, while fellow Henley Street business, ladies clothing specialists Domino, created a chic peacock display.
A special mention from the judges also went to Barry the Butcher with a dazzling ceiling display of tinsel.
The winner of the national category was Bridge Street’s Jo Malone, with an eye-catching colourful fun display.
Manager Lenka Sobotkova said: “Jo Malone London are delighted to have won this coveted award and thank Stratforward and the Christmas Lights Company for their recognition of our Crazy, Colourful Christmas window.”
Stratforward events manager Ruth Wood said: “This year’s Christmas Window Competition was a hard-fought contest. The independent shops shone through and we were delighted by the effort and creativity of Stratford’s shops.
“This is just part of our work to make Stratford a must-visit destination over the Christmas period.”
