10:32am Wednesday 7th May 2008
THE judging panel have made their decision and the winners have been announced of Brierley Hill's first window competition.
Signpost centre organised the competition - which was aimed at bringing together students and unemployed people so they gain new skills and learn to work together.
In total 14 shops had their windows dressed by around 45 students and jobless people which brightened up the High Street.
There were three categories, a large shop size, medium and small with the students from Stourbridge and Dudley Colleges having their work assessed by lectures from the colleges.
A judging panel looked at the window and made their decision based on the design and how the teams worked together.
Organiser of the competition Doug James from Signpost said: "The judges were looking at how the groups worked together as a team, their relationship with the shop owners and the presentation of the window.
"The teams had up to £50 to spend on dressing the windows and making them eye catching.
"Overall we have positive response and feedback form shop owners who entered the competition.
"Generally most of them were quite pleased by the students efforts."
Judges awarded Mecca Bingo the overall winner and the largest shop size winner.
Brierley Hill library were winners of the medium size category and Pepe's winning the small category.
As part of the competition shoppers in Brierley Hill were also given the chance to cast their votes on what shop they thought had the best dressed window.
Over 126 votes were cast and Mecca Bingo was awarded the People's Choice with 44 votes.
It is now hoped some of the teams involved in the competition will be able to work alongside the Princes Trust and participate with courses to gain skills.
Everyone who took part in the competition will be acknowledged for their effects and students from International Glass centre will be designing some awards to give to the winners at a snazzy ceremony to be held in June.
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