Harrogate launches annual Christmas Window Competition

This year’s Christmas Shop Window Competition is launched today (Monday, November 23), thanks to a new partnership between Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) and The Rotary Club of Harrogate.

The annual festive competition, which was one of the main features of the Channel 5 documentary, Harrogate: A Yorkshire Christmas, is aimed at promoting town centre shops and pushing the ‘shop local’ message in the run up to Christmas.

This year’s competition is being limited to 50 businesses within the BID quarters of Kings, Montpellier, Victoria and West Park. And, as in previous years, there are three categories: large retailer, medium retailer and small retailer

Participating businesses will have up to 8am on Tuesday, December 8, to dress their windows, taking into consideration three key elements the judges will be looking for; Illumination, Innovation and the Spirit of Christmas.

Shortlisting will take place the following day with the main judging commencing at 3.30pm on the afternoon of Thursday, December 10.

In each category there will be a winning window and there may also be highly commended window. These shops will each be presented with a framed certificate to display in their shop windows on Monday, December 14.

Competition organiser and Rotary Club of Harrogate member, Graham Saunders, said: “We were determined this year’s competition would go ahead and were delighted that Harrogate BID is partnering us this year.

“More than ever we need to encourage residents and visitors alike to venture into Harrogate this December and view the wonderful Christmas window displays the town is famed for.

“Because of Covid, judging will be different to previous years and sadly there won’t be an awards event. That said, the competition will be just as prestigious as those of previous years.”

Sara Ferguson, Harrogate BID acting chair, said: “The Christmas Shop Window Competition is one that businesses always look forward to, and we are really pleased to be attaching our name to it.

“We would encourage everyone to come in to Harrogate town centre, but in a Covid-safe way, and wherever possible, do all their Christmas shopping with local traders. The Harrogate Gift Card is also a great Christmas present and ensures every one pound loaded onto a card is one pound spent within local community.

“We have powered this year’s Harrogate’s Christmas lights, and the reaction so far has been superb.”

The overall winner will receive the Rose Bowl, presented to Harrogate Borough Council by the Harrogate Chamber of Trade and Commerce, for the Italian shop window competition in 1957.

Business who wish to participate should contact Harrogate Host, Jo Caswell, at jo.caswell@harrogatebid.co.uk

Further information about Harrogate BID is available from its website, http://harrogatebid.co.uk/