We had a wonderful time hosting Canterbury’s forth Christmas Window Competition, and the judges had so much fun soaking up the festive atmosphere. Judging took place on Saturday 1 December with a panel of 4 judges. The windows were judged on three criteria: Festivity, Creativity/Originality and Merchandising; and each one was measured against a set standard and awarded Gold, Silver Gilt or Silver against that. Many thanks to our judges: Lord Mayor Cllr Colin Spooner, Jane Ward, Director of Parker Print, Sue Langdown of the Alliance of Canterbury Resident’s Groups (ACRA) and Rachel Phipps, Writer/Blogger.

People’s Choice award ran from Saturday 1 – Sunday 9 December. All small, independent businesses were offered a window poster inviting the public to vote by visiting their social media platforms (Twitter / Instagram / Facebook) and liking their window display photo that contained the hashtag #MyCanterburyChristmas.

The results

Large Retailers:

Judges Favourites: Fenwick and Lakeland

Gold: Fat Face and White Stuff.

Silver Gilt: Hotel Chocolate, O2, Swarovski, Bill’s, Toni & Guy and The Body Shop.

Silver: Debenhams, Cote Brasserie and Zizzi.

Independent Retailers: 

Judges Favourites: Whirligig Toys and Canterbury Pottery

People’s Choice: Whirligig Toys

Gold: Cosmo China, Burgate Coffee House, Espressions, The Chaucer Bookshop, The Chinaman, Fitzgerald Jewellers, Lady Penelope’s, Dog Store, Sowley-UK, Luke Goldsmith, BoConcept, Holistic Health Clinic, Cafe St Pierre, Justin Richardson, Ortwin Thyssen, The Living Lounge, British Heart Foundation, Lily’s Bistro, The Falstaff Hotel, Mod and Rock, Wrapped, Café Chambers, The Running Outlet, Designed Interiors, Angels, King’s Mile Florist and Tiny Tim’s Tearoom.

Silver Gilt: Curtain Call, Yi Lin, Canteen, Siesta, The Cheese Shop, Refectory Kitchen, Level Up, The Lighthouse, Herringbone Kitchens, Antoniou Hair, Teatros Bar, Houdini’s Magic Bar, Closs & Hamblin, County Clothes, Pybus Opticians, Pork and Co, Doo Das, Marlowe’s Restaurant, Amore Brides, The Pound, Iconic Jewellery Store, Korean Cowgirl, The Fudge Kitchen, The Veg Box Cafe and Antoine et Lili.

Silver: Golding Surplus Ltd, Chocolate Café, Canterbury Jewellers, Treds and Gordon Larkin.

You can browse a selection of photos on our Flickr Album and read Rachel Phipp’s blog here.