HASTINGS businesses have been challenged to follow the example set by the Department Store in Wauchope and dress their businesses for the holiday season.
The Department Store, in High Street, has an extensive Christmas window display and also a myriad of Christmas decorations on display inside. The display is not just for show because all items are for sale, but the results are still proving a major attraction for young and old alike.
Port Macquarie’s Colleen Lunn and her friend Rosemary Price were among those who visited last week.
“My friends told me they had a lovely window display and also inside the shop has been beautifully dressed for Christmas,” Mrs Lunn said.
“I came over especially to see it. I normally go to Sydney to see the display in David Jones, but this year I haven’t, so I thought I’d come over and see this.
“I am delighted to see it – it is just beautiful. Settlement City and Port Central do try in Port Macquarie but there is nothing like this. I hope this will spur more shops on to do something.”
Mrs Lunn hoped that when Department Store’s new branch in Port Macquarie opened in the Peach Tree Arcade in Horton Street (Monday 2 December) it would also have an eye-catching Christmas display.
Port Macquarie Chamber of Commerce spokeswoman Lisa McPherson said the Department Store display was excellent, and she hoped they would get more entrants with outstanding displays entering the business spirit awards.
Urging other businesses to follow the store’s lead, she said they had until close of business on Monday to dress their premises and enter the award, with the winner to be announced on 13 December.
“You can choose from a Christmas or a summer holiday theme and the competition is open to all business, big and small, and you do not have to have a shopfront to enter – you could decorate your delivery vehicles, for example,” Ms McPherson said.
Prizes include advertising and photography packages and the winner will also get to be the first name on the new business spirit award shield, which will be presented on an annual basis from now on.
She said dressing up your business was more important than just providing people with something nice to look at.
“There is another message in here as well, which is about taking pride in maintaining a quality destination for residents and tourists alike,” she said. “Somewhere we can all take pride in – a beautiful place.”
Any business who would like to participate can go to the Port Chamber website and register, www.portchamber.com.au
