It is over 15 years since we started the Christmas Shop Window Competition. Originally for Commercial and Charity shops in Harrogate Town. More recently just for charity shops but including the nearby towns of Ripon, Boroughbridge and Knaresborough. But nothing prepared us for this year.
#Covid-19 has taken its toll on retail in the commercial and charity sectors. Many charity shops have only been open for less than 5 months this year. Some have not opened since March. The impact on the charities they help raise funds for is a massive loss of income.
Charities support our values of improving the lives of people locally, nationally and globally.
The Christmas Shop Window Competition gives us an opportunity to recognise the work the Charity shops do. That is why we were delighted that the majority of the shops were keen for the competition to go ahead. It was all a little later than normal and we realised that stock would be low. Never the less the managers, staff and volunteers did a fantastic job with some really imaginative displays that met our criteria of Innovation, Impact and the Spirt of Christmas.
The judging takes place in three zones: Harrogate Town Centre; Ripon with Boroughbridge and Knaresborough with Starbeck/Bilton. There is a gold and silver award winner in each zone and occasionally shops are Highly Commended. The Soroptimist International of Harrogate and District Cup goes to the overall winner.
The Results
Every year we choose a Cup winner from the winning shops in the three areas. The Gold Award winners this year are, Shelter Community Shop in Harrogate Town; The Salvation Army Shop in Ripon and Saint Michael’s shop in Kings Road, Bilton. This year’s Cup winner is Shelter, Harrogate. A shop window full of innovation and impact as well as the spirit of Christmas. It also demonstrated an Eco-friendly approach with all the materials used being recycled from rags to brown cardboard.
FULL RESULT
Harrogate Town Centre
Gold Award – Shelter, Harrogate Town Centre;
Silver Award – Oxfam, Montpellier;
Highly Commended – Martin House Children’s Hospice and Saint Michaels, Cold Bath Road.
Knaresborough with Starbeck & Bilton
Gold Award – Saint Michaels. Kings Road
Silver Award – Saint Michaels, Starbeck & Saint Vincent’s, Knaresborough
Ripon with Boroughbridge.
Gold Award – Salvation Army, Ripon;
Silver Award Saint Michaels, Ripon;
Highly Commended – YMCA, Boroughbridge