Ilkley’s shop windows have been a dazzling display of Mardi Gras merriment thanks to the Ilkley Carnival window competition! In collaboration with Ilkley BID using the Discover Ilkley brand, ten local businesses put on their most creative hats, transforming their shop fronts with vibrant colours, festive decorations, and of course, plenty of carnival bunting (provided by Ilkley BID).
Residents of Ilkley were then invited to cast their votes via Facebook to decide the competition winner. The race was tight, with only one vote separating the top two contenders in the final hours! Ultimately, Mortens emerged victorious with 29% of the 725 votes cast. A big congratulations to Mortens and to all the participating businesses who brought the spirit of Mardi Gras to Ilkley’s streets!
The Ilkley Carnival window competition brought a host of benefits to the town and offered valuable marketing advantages for businesses that participated. Here’s how:
- Boosts Town Spirit and Vibrancy: The festive displays created a fun and inviting atmosphere, attracting residents and visitors to explore Ilkley’s shops. This injects positive energy into the town and creates a more memorable experience for everyone.
- Free Publicity and Increased Footfall: The competition generated buzz around the participating businesses. Social media voting encouraged people to engage with the competition, potentially leading them to discover new shops and bringing in more customers.
- Healthy Competition and Community Engagement: The contest fostered a friendly rivalry among businesses, encouraging creativity and effort in their window displays. This, in turn, likely led to a higher standard of displays overall, further enhancing the town’s visual appeal.
- Brand Awareness and Differentiation: By participating, businesses had the opportunity to showcase their brand personality and stand out from competitors. A well-designed window display can leave a lasting impression on potential customers.
In essence, the competition provided a fun and effective way to promote local businesses, generate excitement in the town, and create a more vibrant shopping experience for everyone.
