Dorchester’s town centre is set to burst into colour as the Spring 2026 Shopfront of the Season Awards officially opens for nominations today (Wednesday 25 March 2026).
Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester Business Improvement District (BID) are once again inviting residents and visitors to celebrate the businesses whose shopfronts help make the town centre welcoming and brilliant place to visit.
Building on the success of the inaugural Autumn edition — which attracted 313 public nominations — and the Winter awards – which attracted 280 public nominations – the Spring Awards aim to showcase the creativity and care that local businesses bring to their seasonal displays.
Members of the public can nominate any Dorchester town‑centre business whose spring shopfront stands out. Nominations will be assessed using the established criteria:
- Sympathetic to the heritage setting and conservation area
- Accessible and inclusive
- Inviting and welcoming
- Well maintained
- Attractive and distinctive window display
A shortlist of five finalists will be announced in April. The judging panel — comprising the Mayor of Dorchester, representatives from Dorchester BID, the Chair of the Town Centre Action Group and the winner of Winter Shopfront of the Season Awards — will then visit each finalist to select the overall winner.
The winning business will receive:
- A cash prize jointly funded by Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester BID
- A printed certificate and digital winner’s badge
- An invitation to serve as a guest judge in the next season
Nominations can be submitted via the following link:
discoverdorchester.co.uk/dorchester-shopfront-of-the-season-awards
Nominations close on Friday 17 April 2026.
