City Retailers Get Festive

Belfast Lord Mayor Tom Hartly has lauded some of the city's most creative festive window displays as part of the Chamber of Commerce's annual awards competition.

The competition recognises the effort city centre retailers put into decorating their businesses with prizes of luxury champagne, chocolates and winner’s certificates presented by the Lord Mayor.

Marked on criteria of visual impact and overall impression, creativity, artistic merit and effort, entrants were organised into three separate categories.

Gift shop Utopia on College Street beat off stiff competition in the independent retailer category to lift a prize, as did Victoria Square's Accessorize, which won the prize for best multiple retailer display.

Victoria Square itself picked up the award in the shopping centre/arcade category.

The Lord Mayor said: "I'm delighted to reward the winners of the 'Festive Window' competition with their prizes.

"The effort that retailers put in was fantastic and their festive displays really help people get in the mood for Christmas. I hope they enjoy the prizes and I’m quite sure the champagne will help the winners to celebrate their success," added Mr Hartly.

Chamber President John Moore also extended congratulations to the winners, and thanked all those who participated.

"As a retailer in Belfast for over 40 years I know the effort traders put into their displays, but particularly at Christmas time many go that extra mile to add to the special atmosphere that is created in the city centre.

"This and the 'Shutters Up' campaign have ensured that the city centre looks wonderfully festive and vibrant with visitors to the city enjoying the atmosphere and the largest choice of shops in Northern Ireland late into each evening all of December," added Mr Moore.

(PR)