Horsham District’s Window Wonderland winners announced

The winners of Horsham District’s 2020 Window Wonderland Christmas windows and displays competition have been announced.

Winners were selected via a public vote on social media and from a judging panel of professionals.

All winners will receive special plaques to display in their various outlets.

The public’s favourite (most tagged) window between 18 December and Christmas Eve was Carmela Deli in Horsham’s Carfax. The member of the public drawn at random from those ‘voting’ will be notified in due course and will win tickets for a family of four to a show at Horsham’s Capitol theatre in 2021.

The judges overall Horsham District winner was The Green Room in Steyning, closely followed by special award winner, Joanna’s Gift Shop in Storrington. The Green Room wins a prize of £250 worth of packaging and display materials from merchandising specialists, WBC Packaging & Display, and the Green Room will also receive a prize from sponsor the Chichester College Group.

The professional panel comprised the Metamorphosis Group, the Chichester College Group, Solent University and Horsham District Council's Cabinet Member for the Local Economy Cllr Paul Clarke. Voting was close and not always unanimous, as befits such a subjective art like window dressing, but each of the winners clearly merited their award in eachof the District's towns.

Morgan Hair Design got Billingshurst’s top spot for an original and well thought out display and the town’s Kings Head public house picked up a District award for the Best Pub/Restaurant Display. Pulborough’s The Corn Store just pipped The Pulborough Flower Shop for their winning internal display which made great use of products incorporating a safety message on entry.

The choice in Henfield was close with several great displays, whilst Christina’s and Pinks was well regarded, Stokes Gift Store just edged the winning vote. Henfield also provided the source for the District’s top charity shop display, with St. Barnabus House being loved universally by the judges.

With such an amazing range of independent shops, Steyning made it challenging to select an overall winner for the town, but The Green Room came out ahead, also receiving the District’s award for the Best Overall Window Display, sponsored by WBC Packaging & Display. Other highly placed displays in Steyning included Sakala and Sussex Produce.

Storrington also had more than its share of exciting windows and displays but it was Joanna’s plants and gifts display alongside their renowned tea room which received most praise winning not only the town’s top slot but also a special District award for effort and enthusiasm, sponsored by the Chichester College Group.

Horsham’s Carmela Deli window was also recognised by the judges for its pure entertainment value, with near neighbour the Market Square’s Doodie Stark taking the plaudits for being Horsham’s best retail window. C&H Fabrics and Lower Lodge Candles also received praise from the judges.

Commenting on this year’s displays, Cllr Paul Clarke, Horsham District Council Cabinet Member for the Local Economy said:

Given the immense challenges faced by our independent high street businesses I was hugely impressed by the skills, creativity and choice of products presented in our District’s festive windows this year.

“I would like to congratulate all of the owners and staff who made our high streets a magical place to shop this Christmas under such trying circumstances, and look forward to presenting the winners with their plaques in person, just as soon as conditions allow.

“Well done on giving us all even more reasons to  ‘Buy Local’ in Horsham District in the New Year!”

Cllr Paul Clarke, Cabinet Member for the Local Economy

For media queries please email press@horsham.gov.uk .