Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester Business Improvement District (BID) are delighted to announce that Creative Image Studios in Antelope Walk has been crowned the winner of the Dorchester Shopfront of the Season Awards – Winter Edition.
Creative Image Studios have won a cash prize of £500 and will be invited to be a guest judge for the Spring Shopfront of the Season Awards in 2026.
Tyra Goosen, owner of Creative Image Studios said “This award means so much to use because it truly belongs to our students. Every single element in the window was made by them, with everyone contributing in their own way – painting, decorating, ad generously donating lights and baubles. We are going to put the prize towards upgrading our studio hearing and lighting, helping us keep the space warm, welcoming and accessible for everyone who comes through our doors. What emerged was something far more meaningful than a display: a shared creative effort that brough people together and reflected the care our community has for this historic town. We’re incredibly proud of our students and deeply thankful to Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester BID for recognising the hear, inclusivity and community spirit behind it.”
Judges Cllr Les Fry, Chair of the Town Centre Action Group and Neil Strudwick, Dorchester BID Chairman were joined by a guest judge Sharon Page. Sharon is the Owner of Serenity Nails and Beauty, Winners of the Autumn Shopfront of the Season Awards. Sharon commented that “The standard of festive displays this year has been exceptional. Each business front shows real imagination and hard work. Everyone should be extremely proud.”
The judges visited the businesses that received the highest number of public nominations. A total of 284 nominations were received overall for 29 town centre businesses. Businesses were nominated based on the following criteria:
- Sympathetic to the heritage setting and conservation area
- Accessible and inclusive
- Inviting and welcoming
- Well maintained
- Attractive and distinctive window display
The finalists that were then visited by the judges were:
- Creative Image Studios on Antelope Walk– 67 nominations – “It’s such a nice idea for the paintings being produced by the patrons of the business to be used in such a bright, inviting and vibrant display in the windows of the shop. Really inclusive too given the varying levels of ability.
- Tom Browns pub on High East Street– 39 nominations – “A beautiful hand drawn depiction of Dorchester, lots of time and dedication gone into the display”
- Sage and Fern Florist in Antelope Walk – 21 nominations – “The displays in the window always attract my attention with the beautiful and natural floral displays, being sensitive to the seasonal range”
- Mutt Everything Dog in Brewery Square– 20 nominations – “It is lovely to have something different for us dog owners to do, especially on a cold wet day. We immediately felt welcome and part of a dog community when we visited and I love how they have paid such attention to detail.”
- Head 2 Head Hair Design on Trinity Street – 19 nominations – “The window always looks attractive whatever time of year. The salon is always clean bright and welcoming.”
- Temple Hill Property Management on High West Street –19 nominations – “They have been very helpful in finding me a new home … well deserved business. Great effort with their display”
Cllr Les Fry, Chair of the Town Centre Action Group said “There have been some very impressive shopfronts. It was a difficult decision to pick a winner. We are very pleased that Creative Image Studios has won this one because we see the work that has gone into it and personal attention to detail. We would like to congratulate all of the finalists an thank everyone for their nominations for the awards. We look forward to the next round of Shopfront awards in Spring 2026.”
The following quote was given by Neil Strudwick, Dorchester BID Chairman “I just want to say a massive congratulations to Creative Image Studios. Well deserved winners. Creative not only in name but across the board. There are so many bright windows around the town, especially celebrating Christmas. It is great to see the town with this vibrancy at this time of year”.
Photos supplied by Dorchester Town Council – click to enlarge (on some screens)
