The ReUse Centre in Church Arcade has helped to brighten the thoroughfare with a winning window display this season.

The recycling shop took first prize in the Bedford Business Improvement District (BID) Christmas display. Runners-up were Select Travel Holidays of Mill Street. 

The effort put in by businesses across Bedford was clear to see, with the town looking more festive than ever, which made the judging process really difficult.   Special mentions for creativity and execution have to go as well to Urbanite, Brooks Hair & Beauty and Goldings.

The idea for a festive window dressing competition was launched in the autumn at at a BID-funded Customer Service training event.

BID levy-payers joined a special seminar run by customer service experts Shopper Anonymous when they learned how to deliver a great experience for clients and seize upon seasonal spending.

“Last year £24.5 Billion was spent in the lead up to Christmas, with the average person spending £468,” said experienced retailer Graham Hill from Shopper Anonymous,

“While about 30% of shopping is now on-line, that still means that 70% is people actually visiting businesses like those in Bedford town centre.”

The training day included advice on the importance of the shop window to bring people through the door and the finale was the judging of the best.

Said Christina Rowe Director of BedfordBID: “We worked with Shopper Anonymous on a mystery shop programme a few years ago with some considerable success for those businesses who embraced the constructive feedback. Those are the businesses that are still with us today. BedfordBID is about supporting the sustainability of businesses, new is nice, but people come back to places who value their custom.”