Follow Christmas shop window trail
MORE than 30 businesses across Newbury will take part in a decorative Christmas window competition from Saturday as part of a festive-themed trail to responsibly encourage visitors back into town.
Following the success of Newbury’s recent Hallowe’en trail, organisers Visit Newbury, Parkway Shopping and Kennet Shopping will join forces again to deliver this Christmas trail.
Businesses across multiple sectors, from national brands to small independents, will be taking part in the festivities to spread Christmas spirit throughout the town centre until December 31.
The trail will also support Visit Newbury’s ongoing ‘Tis the Season to Shop Local campaign, encouraging residents to buy locally this Christmas.
Visitors and residents of Newbury are invited to collect their trail sheets from various pick-up points across the town centre from Saturday onwards.
Participants then have until the end of the year to find all the Christmas windows listed on the trail sheet by searching high and low throughout the town to find the numbers displayed within decorated windows.
Once all numbers have been located and the businesses identified, the public will be asked to cast their votes for their top three best dressed windows, with prizes awarded to those voted in first, second and third place.
Completed trail sheets will also be entered into a Christmas prize draw, courtesy of local businesses, meaning there will be Christmas winners all round.
Newbury Business Improvement District (BID) chief executive Melissa
Hughes said: “We saw huge engagement from the public with our Hallowe’en trail and received lots of positive feedback, confirming that interactive trails are a big hit among many local Newbury families.”
Participating businesses have expressed their excitement for the trail, seeing it as a positive opportunity for the town.
Banks & Klein hair studio owner Stacey Johnson added: “I can’t wait to participate in the Christmas-themed window competition.
“Being on the far end of Bartholomew Street, I think the trail is a great way to get people to walk up our way and see all that’s here.”
Trail sheet pick-up and drop-off locations will be announced on the Visit Newbury, Parkway Shopping and Kennet Shopping social media platforms.