A WORKSHOP has been held to help businesses in the Winchester district develop their window displays to catch the eye of their customers.

Visual display experts, Made You Look Made You Stare, whose clients include such high profile names as Wedgewood, Harrods and Selfridges, held the workshop at Bishop’s Waltham on Monday (March 31).

The course was arranged by Winchester City Council’s market towns development officer, Heidi Isa, and was offered to participants for free due to funding from Hampshire County Council.

Cllr Rob Humby, portfolio holder for economic development and deputy leader of Winchester City Council, said: “With ever-increasing pressure from out-of-town and internet shopping, it is essential that we arm our high street businesses with the skills they need to remain competitive. We want them to create the kind of shopping experience for which people will return.”

Participants came from Denmead, Wickham and Bishop’s Waltham, and represented a wide variety of high street businesses including gift shops, cafes and bakeries.

The workshop formed part of a wider programme of events, marketing and training, aimed at retaining and enhancing the vibrancy of Winchester’s market towns.