The competition organised by Shrewsbury Business Chamber and Shrewsbury BID saw businesses throughout the town centre decorate their windows in a bid to win one of the prizes on offer. 

It featured three categories: Smaller shops, sponsored by The HR Dept Shropshire and won by Penny Farthing with Deja Brew taking the runners-up spot; Larger shops, sponsored by Reclaim Tax UK, won by Meg Hawkins Art with Tanners Wines runners-up; and Charity shops, sponsored by Max Ball Virtual Assistant, won by the Salvation Army shop with the Home Essentials charity shop runners-up. 

People were asked to register their favourite as part of the public voting section of the competition, with Heart and Arrow tattoo studio in St John’s Hill coming out on top – for the second year running. 

Prizes for the winners were generously donated by Henshalls Insurance Brokers, and the results were revealed at the Shrewsbury Business Chambers Christmas Cocktails and Canapes evening when trophies and prizes were awarded. 

Kevin Lockwood, Chair of Shrewsbury Business Chamber, said there had been a great response. 

“The competition was a great success and very popular,” he said. “Once again we have seen our traders and the public entering into the Christmas spirit by helping us celebrate another fantastic Christmas Window Competition. 

“There were some truly wonderful displays which were an amazing addition to the town centre at the most magical time of the year.” 

The Christmas Window competition formed part of a wider campaign to promote Shrewsbury at Christmas, which included a special festive film produced by Shrewsbury-based Painted Life Productions. 

Emma Molyneux, of Shrewsbury BID, said the film was the most successful ever commissioned by the BID, reaching more than 182,000 people across the world. 

“We are delighted with the response to the Christmas film, which was viewed by thousands of people and attracted hundreds of positive comments on social media,” she said. 

“The film and Christmas Window Competition were both important parts of our festive campaign, and we would like to thank all of the shops who took part, the people who voted and the sponsors who supported the competition. 

“It’s wonderful to see so many people get behind the competition and help to make it such a success. 

“The town was transformed into a sea of festive colour, there are some fantastic entries and it’s just a shame we couldn’t declare everyone a winner. Traders really embraced the competition and we are pleased so many took up the challenge.”