Three window displays scoop Newbury BID prize

Two stores and public library named best displays

TWO Newbury high street stores and one public library won prizes this week for the quality of their Christmas window displays.

Newbury florist Willow & Blooms in Bartholomew Street was named best independent and was the overall winner for the ‘Newbury best dressed business window competition’ organised by Newbury Business Improvement District (BID).

The award for best charity and not-for-profit display went to Newbury Library for its The Grinch display and Parkway’s Accessorise won the award for best chain or group display.

Owner of Willow & Blooms, Helen Vickers, said she was “thrilled and delighted” to have won the competition for the second time.

Branch supervisor at Newbury Library, Yvonne Aubrey, said: “We are so pleased to be awarded this prize. The Grinch looks fantastic in the window and we’ll be sorry to see him go.

“We are thrilled that he has brought such delight to our library users and we’d like to thank everyone that contributed to it and voted for us.”

Managing director of Newbury BID, Russell Downing, said: “We are delighted with the number of entrants this year, the highest since the competition began.

“I know the judges had a great time judging and the decision was a very difficult one as there were many really nice window displays.

“This competition really gets the town in the festive look and feel and is another opportunity for us to showcase the many wonderful businesses we have across the whole of Newbury town centre.”

The competition was judged by Newbury Weekly News editor Andy Murrill and Jane Bosher, Newbury branch manager of the Newbury Building Society.

Mr Murrill said: “We had an extremely enjoyable morning judging the festive windows and getting into the Christmas spirit.

“What was particularly impressive was the hard work and passion that had been put in by Newbury’s many excellent independent and charity shops.”

The competition sponsors were Newbury Racecourse, Newbury Building Society and the Newbury Weekly News.