It was a window white out this Christmas in Haslemere. 

Retail businesses once again brought some festive cheer to town by taking part in the fourth annual Christmas window competition. 

Almost 1,000 windows were dressed for the occasion with many snowy displays, a few naughty elves and even Santa making an appearance. 

Four churches – St Bartholomew’s, St Christopher’s, St Stephen’s and All Saints Grayswood – sponsored the competition, making it a gift to retailers by funding all the prizes, advertising and marketing. 

The windows have been judged based on three categories – most festive, most stylish and the most complementary to the shop’s underlying business. 

All the winners, and a voter chosen at random, have won a Haslemere-sourced hamper of goodies. Fourteen schools and the church youth group got involved, dressing a total of 15 shop windows. 

But after 800 votes, the results are now in.

After another hotly-contested competition, Oliver’s in Charter Walk has won the public vote for best dressed Christmas Windows 2023. 

Oliver’s might have kept hold of its title for another year, but Haslemere railway station, the newcomer to the competition, gave it a run for its money. The station took second place with R.T Mechanics taking third. Head judge, Rev. Chris Bessant said it was a very close race. 

Oliver’s will need to keep a beady eye on the station next year.

Rev. Chris Bessant’s fellow judges this year were Rev. Fiona Gwynn, Julie Fox and town crier, Christian Ashdown. 

All three judges were full of admiration for the huge number of businesses that took part in the competition this year, almost 1,000.

Rev. Chris Bessant said: “The standard of windows was incredibly high this year, making the judged categories extremely difficult.” 

Dylan’s was declared the most festive window winner, with a real Father Christmas, lots of elves and two dogs . But don’t worry, Dylan’s let Father Christmas and the elves off window-duty for his other job as deliveryman. 

“The whole shop became an ice cream grotto and what could be more festive than that,” said organiser Rev. Justin Manley-Cooper. 

The Tantum Trust claimed the runner-up spot. 

Prizes for the most complementary window to the shop’s underlying business were awarded to windows dressed by schools. 

First prize went to Henry Adams, dressed by Camelsdale School and second to The Bakehouse, dressed by Undershaw’s School. 

The most stylish window went to The Bathroom Shop, with the Dog Room in second spot. 

Highly Commended accolades went to Carlo’s, The Lion’s Den dressed by Shottermill Junior School, and to Petsworth, dressed by Beacon Hill Primary.