Shopfront Awards
Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester Business Improvement District (BID) are launching a new joint awards scheme for Dorchester Town Centre businesses.
The Dorchester Shopfront of the Season Awards – is designed to celebrate the town’s most attractive and welcoming business frontages.
The awards scheme, developed by the Town Centre Working Group, aims to highlight businesses that enhance the town’s visual appeal and contribute positively to the local economy and Conservation Area.
The five businesses that receive the most nominations will then be judged by a special panel including the Mayor of Dorchester, Chair of Dorchester BID, and Chair of the Town Centre Action Group and one overall winner will be chosen.
The winning business will receive:
- A cash prize jointly funded by Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester BID
- A printed certificate and digital winner’s badge
- An invitation to serve as a guest judge in the following season
The five finalists will also receive certificates and promotional recognition.
Nominations for the Winter Shopfront of the Season Awards
Nominations for the Winter Shopfront of the Season Awards open on 10th November 2025 and close on 15 December 2025.
We are asking Dorchester residents and shoppers to nominate the business that they think deserves the award.
All types of businesses with a frontage are eligible, including chains. This includes retail, restaurants and cafes, services (bank, estate agents etc.) and personal services (hairdressers, nail bars etc.)
Members of the public are invited to nominate based on the following criteria:
- Sympathetic to the heritage setting/conservation area
- Accessible and inclusive
- Inviting and welcoming
- Well maintained
- Attractive and distinctive window display
Please note: Only businesses that are within the Dorchester BID boundary are eligible to receive the award.
Winner announced in the Autumn 2025 Shopfront of the Season Awards!
Dorchester Town Council and Dorchester Business Improvement District (BID) are delighted to announce that Serenity Nails & Beauty on High West Street has been crowned the winner of the inaugural Dorchester Shopfront of the Season Awards – Autumn Charm Edition. Serenity Nails & Beauty have won a cash prize of £500 and will be invited to be a guest judge for the Winter Shopfront of the Season Awards.
Judges Cllr Les Fry, Chair of the Town Centre Action Group and Nick Rawlings, Dorchester BID Director commented that “Serenity have created a beautiful Autumnal window display and whole frontage is bright and welcoming. The building is well maintained, has level access and the shop sits well in the street scene.”
The judges visited the five businesses that received the highest number of public nominations and were “thrilled with the number of nominations from the public and very proud of Dorchester and all of the wonderful businesses that were nominated”.
A total of 313 nominations were received overall for 43 town centre businesses. The Winner Serenity received glowing praise in the online public nomination forms, with comments highlighting their immaculate seasonal displays, welcoming staff, and commitment to brightening up the high street. Many noted how their thoughtful decorations bring joy throughout the year, from Christmas to Easter, Halloween to Summer.
Sharon Page, Owner of Serenity Nails & Beauty said “I’m absolutely thrilled to have won — it’s such a lovely surprise! I was already so pleased just to be one of the five finalists, but to actually win is overwhelming. I want to say a big thank you to all our wonderful clients who voted for us. We’ve been creating seasonal window displays for almost 21 years now, and it’s something we really love doing. It’s all about bringing a bit of colour and joy to our clients, our staff, and everyone in Dorchester who passes by. Dorchester is such a wonderful place to work and visit. We’ve already started working on our Christmas window — I can’t wait to share that next! And well done to all the other businesses who took part — it means a lot to be part of such a creative community.”