Guernsey retailers to travel back in time

VisitGuernsey is asking local retailers to step back in time and celebrate the island’s priceless freedom.

This year sees the 70th anniversary of the freedom of the Channel Islands from German occupation and VisitGuernsey is encouraging all islanders and visitors to get caught up in liberation fever – but needs the help of island businesses.

In conjunction with Collaborate Communications, VisitGuernsey is staging a Heritage Festival themed window display competition. All shop owners, and business owners are asked to capture the spirit of the island’s history in imaginative and fun, colourful and thought-provoking window displays that will transform both St Peter Port and out of town shopping areas.

They are asked to put the flags out and use red, white and blue stock for their display, borrow props with a wartime theme or use imagery to take their windows back in time and evoke memories of the occupation and liberation.

Islanders and visitors will be able to vote for their favourite display by post or online, with prizes for both the winning retailer and one lucky voter. Guernsey jeweller Becky Rowe will be handcrafting a very special vintage style trophy, which will be awarded to the business that scoops the top vote. VisitGuernsey will be supplying all participating retailers with posters to promote the competition and encourage people to vote, along with voting postcards and window stickers.

The competition will run from Friday 3 April to Thursday 7 May, with the winner being announced on Friday 8 May. The trophy will be presented later that day, so it can be displayed in time for Liberation Day itself.

Banners and flags will hang from each of the lamp posts along St Peter Port’s seafront and Guernsey flag bunting will be hung between them, creating a real festival atmosphere in the Town.

For more information about how to enter the Channel Islands Heritage Festival window display competition contact Julie Todd at Collaborate Communications on (01481) 715222, or email her at Julie@collaboratecommunications.com.