This spring, Cheltenham Racecourse and SoGlos teamed-up to introduce the very first Gloucestershire-wide The Festival Shop Window Competition.
Launched to celebrate ‘the four days of extraordinary’ at The Festival™ presented by Magners, more than 20 businesses and organisations took part in the excitement – with the first prize winner, two runners-up and commended entries all revealed below.
There were some stunning windows on display around Cheltenham town, The Promenade, The Suffolks, Montpellier and Gloucester Quays – from the biggest High Street retailers to incredible independents, with the effort on display proving really impressive.
A huge thank you must go to every single business and organisation that took part in 2019. And with confirmation that The Festival Shop Window Competition 2020 will be bigger and better, it’s time to start planning those entries!
The Festival Shop Window Competition 2019 winner
Purslane Restaurant really impressed the judges with its creative, homemade effort – constructing a Gold Cup from scallop and mussel shells and uniquely combining the seafood and horseracing theme with galloping golden sea horses!
Purslane wins the first prize, worth £4,000 – including £2,000 in cash from Cheltenham Racecourse and an advertising campaign worth £2,000 from SoGlos.
The Festival Shop Window Competition 2019 runners up
The Children’s Society made a brilliant, bold and bright entry that brought creativity and colour to the charity shop. A worthy runner-up, The Children’s Society wins a prize worth £1,000 – including £500 cash from Cheltenham Racecourse and a £500 advertising campaign with SoGlos.
Also being awarded the runner-up prize of £500 cash from Cheltenham Racecourse and a £500 advertising campaign with SoGlos, The Find made a colourful impact with jockey silks and Champagne on Regent Street.
The Festival Shop Window Competition 2019 commended entries
You can’t have failed to see the gorgeous golden horse John Lewis Cheltenham has had on display. Stunning – and incredible to see this much-loved international brand flying the flag for The Festival in its Cheltenham department store.
Cheltenham jewelers Beards made a stylish entry with vintage photographs, pearls and plenty of sparkle on The Promenade.
A humorous entry came in from Specsavers Cheltenham that made the judges and passersby chuckle.
The Great British Boutique in The Suffolks went to town with its horses! Amazing effort.
Atelier 19 brought style and sophistication to The Suffolks with a display of stunning, award-winning hats from Gaynor Jones Millinery.
James of Montpellier brought stylish menswear and Magners cider together for its entry.
A stylish entry from a stylishly cool hair salon, Simon Smith on Regent Street used hobby horses in its window.
Monrose Boutique, a vintage-inspired boutique in Bennington Street made headlines with its striking dress, balloons and newspaper montage.
Rebecca Northway Photography made a huge impact with a high end photo canvas in her Clarence Parade window. Beautiful.
Beautiful wedding dress boutique Cocoa Couture also used a tasteful tweed horse theme in its adjoining Clarence Square window.
A tasteful submission came in from High Street retailer Russell and Bromley on The Promenade in Cheltenham.
Charlton Kings womenswear shop Tia-Tia made full use of horses’ heads!
Beatrice von Treskow in Montpellier used a colourful mix of horses and shamrocks to shine a light on the exquisite womenswear.
While ATC Flooring in Tivoli crafted an equestrian theme for its shop window.
The entries came in from as far afield as Gloucester Quays, with upmarket menswear brand Chester Barrie using a striking saddle and Irish centrepiece in its store.
And last, but not least…
We jumped, get it, at the chance to get involved in the fun at SoPublishing’s HQ on Imperial Square.
For more information about The Festival Shop Window from Cheltenham Racecourse and SoGlos visit soglos.com/festivalshopwindow.
