On 5 December, Canterbury invited a panel of judges and gave them the task of marking each of the 45 Christmas window entrant on their festiveness, merchandising and originality. As we suspected, it proved a very tricky task as there were so many incredible window designs to choose from.
For a whistle stop view of the beautiful windows, click here to see the VIDEO TOUR.
Thank you to our judges, who volunteered their time and steps on Saturday – we covered the entire city!
The Reverend Canon Andrew Dodds (Canterbury Cathedral)
Scarlett Gregory (Bryter Digital)
Ophelia Gregory (our first junior judge)
Paul Russell (Arts and Culture, Canterbury Christ Church University)
Sinead Hanna (Visit Canterbury / local influencer)
Katie Griffin (Canterbury Mummy blogger)
Jo Taborn (MyCanterbury)
All entrants have now received their certificates and we thank them for making Canterbury the best Christmas destination in the UK!
Scroll down for details of the Judges’ Favourites – the businesses that received the highest marks in each category (Small Retail / Large Retail / Hospitality / Health and Beauty / Charity).
We would like to give a special shout out to a local artist who helped several of the retailers with their Christmas Windows this year, and is also a staff member at Cafe No.35 – Miss Browne’s Boards
VIOLET ELIZABETH
(Small/Independent Retail)
Inspired by their family tradition, Violet Elizabeth bring to life a gingerbread house on a large scale! Glowing with vibrant colours and intricate craftmanship, this display showcases incredible quality and effort.
CHATTERBOX CAFÉ
(Hospitality joint winner)
Chatterboxes’ window is a warm and Christmassy showcase brimming with festive charm. Featuring beautiful baubles filled with LEGO created by local children and combination of different types of media, this window creates an inviting display that captures the spirit of the season.
TINY TIM’S TEAROOM
(Hospitality joint winner)
Tiny Tim’s window display reaches all three floors, full of festive charm, with delicately frosted windows, beautiful red baubles and amazing Christmas greenery. Thoughtfully designed and very well executed.
FENWICK
(Large Retail)
In addition to hosting the city’s LEGO Trail prizes, Fenwick’s Christmas windows (of which there are many) not only had the big bold statements of luscious foliage and the classic red backdrop, but each window showcases a different aspect of its wide-ranging brands from large-scale displays to tiny details.
ST DUNSTAN’S DENTAL PRACTICE
(Health and Beauty)
St Dunstan’s Dental created a festive Canterbury scene with a lovely hand-drawn gingerbread cityscape, inspired by the theme of a sweet dream before the dentist. It was hand-drawn by the receptionist who is also a tattoo artist.
CARGILLS OPTICIANS
(LEGO)
While taking part in the LEGO Trail, the public were asked which of the LEGO displays was their favourite and Cargills received the most votes!
Cargills Optometrist fully embraced the theme, creating LEGO presents, adding various minifigures in festive outfits. They also have LEGO glasses frames!
Huge Congratulations to the other Platinum awarded businesses:
- Canterbury Pottery
- Fitzgerald Jewellers
- Franciscan Gardens
- Happy and Glorious
- Luke Goldsmith
- Paxton and Whitfield
- Refectory
- RSPCA
- Whirligig
Full album of ALL the Christmas Windows will be available shortly!
