Who's Got the Best Dressed Window in Acton?

Winter Wonderland competition results

This is the second year running that a competition has been held in Acton around Christmas. The competition was open to all independent shops and businesses within Acton Town Centre.

This year's theme was 'Winter Winderland'. These local businesses have made a special effort to cheer us all up during this busy time of year. They make a very positive contribution to Acton and the aim of the competition is to encourage community spirit and reward the businesses who make a special effort.

This year, there were 17 entries - significantly more than last year. The judges were very impressed with the standard of entries this year. A prize ceremony hosted by the Deputy Mayor John Ross and Cllr Millican, took place at 4pm at the Winter Fair in the Mount last Saturday and we now have the list of winners and runners-up.

• £250.00 - Gold Winner - Heart & Soul (florist and gift/card shop at 73 Churchfield Road)
• £150.00 - Silver Winner - Fireworks and Balloons (163 High Street)
• £100.00 - Bronze Winner - Very Cosmopolitan Café (3 Market Place)
• £50.00 - Highly Commended - Anthony Bell, 75 Churchfield Road
• £50.00 - Highly Commended - Pinto Thai Kitchen (46 High Street)
• £50.00 - Highly Commended - Angela Malik Cook School (6 Churchfield
Road)
• Highly Commended - Greetings, 161 High Street
•Highly Commended - Act On Impulse Flowers (1a The Mount)
• Highly Commended - Absolutely Fabulous Hair and Beauty (249 High
Street)
• Highly Commended - Pro Hands (71 Churchfield Road)
• Highly Commended - Coffee Etc (135 High Street)

5 other businesses also received highly commended certificates: Tiffin and Fresco, Grapevines Ltd, Baghdad Gate, World of Dry Cleaning, Hitec House and Abadaiv Barbers.

The competition was judged by Ealing Council, Vision On (who are running the Visual Merchandise and Customer Service training with businesses across the borough), Acton Business forum, Action Acton, the Mayor, Cllr John Ross (Deputy Mayor for Acton), Cllr Seema Kumar, Cllr Vlod Barchuk, Cllr Marie-Christine Randall and Cllr Millican (Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing).

The judges made their decision based on the overall visual impact, creativity, artistic merit, inventive use of materials and general effort.

Heart & Soul, who won first prize, made their stunning window design entirely out of recycled materials.

Councillor David Millican, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, said: "I absolutely love it in Acton. We were all so impressed with everyone's efforts to give their shops such a festive look. There were a lot more to judge this year too, with almost twice as many businesses taking part in the competition compared to last year.

"The town has a lovely Christmas feel to it. There is a similar event happening this weekend too so I'd encourage people to try and make it down and see what the town has to offer. I hope that Acton residents will shop locally"

December 17, 2009