A creative woodland scene that oozes Christmas memories has been crowned best dressed shop window in Thirsk!
The Artists Palette took first place in the annual Thirsk and District Business Association competition. Judge Emma Smailes from the Federation of Small Businesses said it was a ‘close and difficult’ decision but the art store display had tugged on the heart strings, evoking childhood memories of Christmas in a stylish, creative display.
And on Small Business Saturday (December 5) Leader of Hambleton District Council, Councillor Mark Robson, joined Emma and Guy Baragwanath, Chair of the Business Association, to congratulate shop owner, Wendy Gibson-Brown.
Joint second place went to Calverts Carpets and Love Thy Interiors; The Chocolate Box was highly commended; Best Charity Shop went to Sue Ryder; Best National Chain was Holland and Barrett; and Best Produce Display was taken by The Greengrocers.
“Each year we see the standard of the window displays go up – but the competition is a great opportunity to reward those who have put in a lot of hard work to attract residents and visitors to shop and support the local economy,” said Councillor Robson.
And Emma added: “There were some wonderful displays from local shops – and I was delighted to see the national chains playing their part along with the Charity shops.”
In 2014 16.5 million people shopped in a small independent business on Small Business Saturday – a 20% rise on 2013, and 2.7 million more shoppers.
Small Business Saturday is a grassroots, non-commercial campaign, which highlights small business success and encourages consumers to support small businesses in their communities. The day itself takes place on the first shopping Saturday in December, but the campaign aims to have a lasting impact on small businesses.
