The Spalding branch of retailer Hughes Electrical has been praised for transforming a large blanked-out window into an attractive and interesting storyboard of the site.
The Sheep Market shop was one of several town centre premises highlighted by Spalding and District Civic Society as having unattractive windows – many by utilising “garish” vinyl.
Hughes senior salesman Graham Boor approached the society to find a compromise to the shop’s Victoria Street elevation.
He said: “An ideal solution was to have some historic images that depicted the site’s previous use, along with some text to explain the timeline. Although they have only been in place a few weeks, we are delighted at the comments received from customers in the store and other people who take time to stop and view.”
The retailer’s managing director Robert Hughes said: “We are guests in the town and it’s only right that we work with the local community.”
Civic Society projects and campaigns officer John Charlesworth said the society was delighted with Hughes’ lead and hoped other premises would follow suit.
He insisted the vinyl seen not just on many foreign nationals’ shops but also on the Winsover Road elevation of B&M Bargains was a turn-off to customers and town visitors.
“Most of what we have got is garish,” he said. “It’s a footfall killer – people aren’t going to cross the road to look at a vinyl of apples or the B&M logo. However, people would cross the road to look at a display and what’s inside.
“One of the big nationals I admire is Wilko. It’s not a great space that they use, yet they are quite attractive displays.”
He added: “Something I would like to see is an awards scheme. It could have various sections such as best dressed window and most improved shop front.
“Any shop that removes vinyl from its shop window would score highly!”
