Penrith Chamber of Trade’s traditional Christmas windows competition showcased the fantastic displays put on by the town’s retailers, with a presentation made to winners last Thursday evening.
The top prize of a Cranstons Ullswater hamper, sponsored by the Cumberland and Westmorland Herald, went to Home & More Interiors, in Corn Market, where owner Joanne Fisher has created a winter wonderland of greenery and sparkling surprises.
Other shortlisted businesses going the extra mile to create wonderful windows were Greenwheat Flowers & Fika, Redby Coffee, the George Hotel, Rusty’s Treat Box, Wild Ivy and John Norris of Penrith.
At a presentation and social evening, held at Xavier’s Cafe and Wine on Thursday evening, the overall winners and category-winning businesses were congratulated and thanked for helping to make Penrith look so festive.
Chamber of Trade president Stephen Macaulay said: “Thank you to everyone who got involved in this year’s competition and helped make Penrith look so festive.
“Thanks to this year’s judges, Keith Jackson and Jacqui Jackson, of Thomas Jardine & Co. Ltd, and Andrew Greenop and Sarah Harris, from Penrith Rotary, for spending the day looking at the entries and spending time with us in our town.
“The judges were blown away with the number of businesses willing to put the time and effort in to show off their windows and we looked at the shops in daylight and after dark to make sure we appreciated the full impact of the displays.
“It was very difficult to whittle down the entries to a shortlist as the standards were so high.”
“We would encourage people to get out there and enjoy the trail and let us know who your favourites are. Well done all.”
Home & More Interiors, which sells home furnishings, lighting, pictures, mirrors, cushions and fabrics, has been in Corn Market for two years. Of the theme for the winning window display, Joanne said: “We have gone for a couple of ideas — we have got alternative colours which you would not normally associate with Christmas, including purples, pinks and greens.
“In the other window, we have gone for more natural colours, golds and rusts, just to try and show some different alternative ideas.”
Lee Cooper, of Brunswick Road-based Greenwheat Florist & Fika, said their window had a Home Alone film theme. As its centrepiece, there is a Lego construction of the house in which central character Kevin has to fight off burglars in the hit Christmas movie.
The house was built by Lee and Laura Tuer’s children, Bill and Ted Cooper, and the bows in the window were made by staff member Mary Hannah.
“We have had loads of people commenting, saying they can’t believe we built a Home Alone Lego house,” said Lee. In addition, Laura’s nephew, Robert Tuer, acted as Kevin on the day of the judging.
Jamie Redman, of Redby Coffee, in Middlegate, said he and his partner had owned the café for five years, but it had only recently launched under a new name, which is a mixture of his surname and that of partner James Kirby, who runs their Maryport outlet.
He said the window had a Lake District woodland-inspired theme, complete with Aurora Borealis above it. The Northern Lights have been seen from locations in and around Eden in recent days and weeks.
Sarah Cox, of Great Dockray-based Wild Ivy, went for a natural looking woodland theme with sustainable decorations, with nothing artificial. “It is designed to inspire people how to decorate their own homes,” said Sarah, who has owned the business for more than five years.
The George Hotel, in Devonshire Street, always pulls out all the stops for Christmas — and this year is no exception.
Fiona Sellars, marketing and business support manager, said they had gone for a winter wonderland theme. Rafal Bartosik, front of house manager, said they had a total of 32 Christmas trees inside the hotel this year.
Ruth Robson, a shop assistant at John Norris, said the Christmas window displays had been a joint effort which aimed to showcase the products they sell at the country clothing and fly fishing specialists.
Kelly Thompson, who is also a shop assistant, said they also had a new area to make it easier to find gundog and game shooting accessories.
Rusty’s Treat Box, which opened in September, 2022, sells natural dog treats and eco-friendly toys and has been given the nickname “Penrith’s sweet shop for dogs”.
Christine Eaglestone, who lives near Lazonby, said the shop was named after her two-year-old dog, Rusty, who has tested and trialled everything she sells.
“It all started when I rescued Anna, who was a Romanian dog. She was not very well when we got her — she had skin conditions and malnourishment — and somebody said to me, try the natural stuff.
“She absolutely loved it and her coat got better,” said Christine, whose window showcases some of the Christmas treats she has on sale in her shop.
