Refresh Thurles Tidy Towns launches shopfront competition

Refresh Thurles Tidy Towns has this week, launched its annual Best Presented Shop Front Competition.

This competition aims to acknowledge businesses in the town making an effort to improve the external appearance of their premises.

All businesses in the town are deemed to be entered into this competition. The winner will receive the Kathleen Wright Perpetual Trophy.

Past winners of this award include Bookworm, Ryan’s Daughter Restaurant, Liam Campion Quality Meats, Liberty Pharmacy and Rusticafe.

The judge will be looking out for some of the following:

A clean shop front and clean footpath in immediate vicinity, an attractive painting scheme, effective signage in good condition, window displays, and flowers in window boxes/baskets to make the location more inviting. The judge will also pay attention to businesses using their outdoor space effectively.

Judging will take place over the coming weeks and Refresh Thurles will announce the winner in August.

A presentation will then follow to this year’s winner, and the judge’s full report will be published in the Tipperary Star. The competition was won by Hayes Hotel in 2023.

The judge was very impressed with the summer flowers displayed at the entrance to the hotel and the new outdoor seating area also impressed the judge.

Tommy Barrett of Thurles Tidy Towns explains the focus of this competition.

“It is vital that we put our best foot forward in Thurles, and businesses play a key role in how their premises are presented.

“We want to raise awareness of the importance of attractive shop fronts not just in Liberty Square but throughout the town.

“I also believe that it is in the interest of all businesses to have an attractive shopfront to increase their footfall.

“It is great to see so many businesses making a great effort this year, and we look forward to the awards ceremony in a few weeks.”

CAPTION: Pictured (L-R) 2023 Best Presented Shopfront Winner: Hayes Hotel: Gary Wright ( Hayes Hotel), Jade Hartnett ( Hayes Hotel), Cllr Sean Ryan (Cathaoirleach Thurles Municipal District), Tommy Barrett (Thurles Tidy Towns), Camila Lopez Mazetto (Hayes Hotel), Clodagh Baskin (Hayes Hotel), John Lanigan (Thurles Tidy Towns)