These are the winners in Harrogate Christmas Shop Window Competition for 2020

Customers are coming back say Harrogate's oldest - and newest - shops as Christmas season boosts trade

Twenty-seven shops had asked to take part and Helen James Flowers on Station Parade has been named as the overall winner.

Mama Doreen’s Emporium was the winner in the large shops category, Helen James Flowers won the medium shops category, and Boho Chic, on West Parade, was the winner in the small shops category.

The judging of the windows took place last Thursday, December 10.

The Rotary Club of Harrogate organized and carried out the judging which involved 13 Rotarians, some with wives, and two Soroptimists.

Graham Saunders, who organized the judging on behalf of the Rotary Club, said: "We were delighted to be able to organize the competition again this year particularly with the problems for retailers brought about by the Covid19 lock down. Harrogate is lucky to have so many independent shops who enjoy taking part in the competition.

The competition this year was supported by the Harrogate Business Improvement District (BID) who presented a Harrogate BID Gift Card to each of the three winning shops.

Sara Ferguson, the acting chair of the BID, congratulated all the retailers for making the extra effort to decorate their window for Christmas and take part in the competition during this very difficult time.

She added: “The retailers who took part in the competition have gone to great lengths to make their shop windows look fabulous, which in turn has given the town centre a real festive boost.”

The presentation of certificates to the winning shops was carried out on Monday afternoon by a group including Cou Zoe Metcalf, Deputy Mayor of Harrogate. Alistair Ratcliffe, President of the Rotary Club of Harrogate and Sara Ferguson, acting chair of the BID, who visited each of the shops.

Retail Shops in Harrogate Town Centre: The winners in full

Overall Winner:

Helen James Flowers, 63 Station Parade

Large Shop Winner:

Mama Doreen’s Emporium, 65 - 69 Station Parade

Highly Commended:

Bettys Café Tea Rooms, 1 Parliament Street

Medium Shop

Winner:

Helen James Flowers, 63 Station Parade

Highly Commended:

The Yorkshire Soap Company, 1 James Street

Baroque Hair [Harrogate], 4 Kings Road

Small Shop

Winner:

Boho Chic, 21 West Park

Highly Commended:

Sophie Likes, 36 Beulah Street

India Mahon Jewellery, 12 Montpellier Street

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