A new Shropshire-based company has been window shopping in Newport - well judging the best Christmas windows that is.
The annual Newport Chamber Christmas competition for best dressed window has seen the majority of Newport's independent businesses decorate their frontages with a festive theme.
The heavens opened as Karen Woodcock from All About Newport and Chair of Newport Chamber of Commerce was joined by two impartial judges – Kim Kelly and Paul Naylor from Granville Credit Control Services Ltd, based in Telford at St James House.
With a welcome from Karen, Kim and Paul inspected the colourful festive entrants, before deliberating over a coffee at BOD on the High Street.
There are six categories of which the following were deemed winner of their specific category:
The best window belonging to a business with a membership of the town’s Chamber of Commerce was judged to be Brockton Care on the High Street with Duignan Phelps and Tea On The Cobbles being highly commended for their creativity.
A new category for this year was for a Non Retail window, the winner of this category was Roberts Nicholas Financial, closely followed by Clarke’s Solicitors and Maine Salon.
The Eva Allen Newport Town Council non-Chamber Christmas window award, the winner was Daisy Chain. Coco 64 and Number 45 were highly commended in the vote.
Best dressed market stall at the Indoor Market was unanimous with The Emporium of The Useful and Curious named the winner and was highly commended.
Oxfam Newport in the High Street was voted best charity shop, with AED Donate and Severn Hospice being highly commended.
Following further deliberation the Kath Crewe award for overall winner for best dressed Christmas window 2022, was Robert Nicholas Financial.
"I was impressed that so many businesses took part and put so much effort into their displays," said Kim, who independently is the owner of Granville Bookkeeping Services. "Christmas spirit is alive and well in the market town of Newport"
"We were impressed by the standard throughout," said Paul, who also has a design and marketing company called MEDIA & YOU. "Ultimately, the creativity of the display at Robert Nicholas Financial which included letters to Santa from local schoolchildren embodied the spirit of Christmas."
Karen added: "All the window displays were amazing. The effort the businesses had gone to, after another uncertain year, was inspiring.
"You all make Newport the wonderful town we all know and love. I would like to express my sincere thanks to you all. Thank you".
