Wink in Guernsey’s Le Pollet and Becky Rowe are the two worthy winners of the 2023 Christmas window competition.
The annual event for the most festively decorated displays sees a trophy awarded to the best designed shop front in Town and also to a retailer elsewhere on the Island. Run by the Guernsey Retail Group, this year’s theme was entitled ‘Christmas,’ with Wink in Le Pollet and Becky Rowe Jewellery in St Martin’s each bestowed the highest accolade based on a number of set criteria.
These included overall impact, best use of space and brand into the display, style & theme and how well windows draw in shoppers. Sustainability was also an element considered.
Korinne Le Page, Head of Retail Development at the Guernsey Retail Group, said: “This competition is popular with retailers and presents a great opportunity for entrants to add to the festive feel in the run up to Christmas.
“All of the entries were of a very high standard and of those, Becky Rowe drew passers-by with a magical shop front for the second time in three years and Wink was voted top for creatively using products in its window for the second year in a row.”
The contest began on 12 December and winners chosen this week by an independent panel of judges. For the first time, high commendations were also awarded to The Hope Store in Town for being on-brand and sustainable and to Maison Demain in The Commercial Arcade for an enticing window which showed a good use of the product.
The judging panel of three were unanimous in their verdicts: ‘We were, once again, thrilled to see the quality of the window displays and for so many retailers looking festive. With Christmas as the theme, this offered limitless opportunities, so the range of designs shows some real creativity, energy and thought.’
Wink owner, Lizzie Jarrold (shown in the main picture), said: “We’re delighted to win again and I love the pleasure the window gives to passers-by. From the inside we can watch children, especially, smiling.
“In the past, people have wanted to purchase items in the display, so this year, we had extra houses and decorations for sale in our gallery downstairs and most of the ones in the window have been reserved. Long may the competition and the Christmas lights carry on. I am already planning for next year.”
Becky Rowe, of Becky Rowe Jewellery, commented: “Since we relocated to St Martin’s eight years ago, we have always themed our windows in the run up to Christmas. This year the window is around a new range of jewellery I’m launching called ‘Sun Beam’.
“I’m really pleased to have been recognised once again which is especially in honour of my late Mum; this is the first window display which she hasn’t been involved in”.
