Looking back at Hexham's Spookiest Window Competition

The competition, which is organised annually by Hexham Community Partnership, involves businesses dressing up their shop windows in Halloween fashion.

The Partnership is the development trust serving Hexham and the surrounding communities in the Tyne Valley.

It works with the community and partners to make Hexham a vibrant, enterprising and adaptable market town for residents, businesses and visitors.

Yorkshire Trading Co won second place in 2021 (Image: Newsquest)

Businesses involved  over the years with the Partnership's Spookiest Window Competition have included Yorkshire Trading Co, Little Mexico, Studio 19 hair salon, Bunters Coffee Shop, the Secret Salon, S&S Attire, Stalida Greek Taverna and Hats & Glad Rags.  

Shops use arts and crafts materials and decorations to creep customers out during Spook Night, held at the end of October.

Stalida Greek Taverna's window (Image: Newsquest)

The competition was relaunched in 2021 after it had been stopped and started many times over the years and was also halted due to the Covid pandemic.

We looked back at pictures of the competition over the years.

Hats & Glad Rags (Image: Newsquest)

Participating shops have the chance to be creative on decorating their shop windows and can battle against each other for first, second and third place, which all win prizes.

The winners in 2021 were:

Outside Bunters Coffee SHop (Image: Newsquest)

1st - The Secret Salon

2nd - Yorkshire Trading Co

3rd - Costa

Spook Night brings the community together with fairground rides, costume competitions and various activities take place.

Costa Coffee in Hexham's display (Image: Newsquest)

Studio K Dance Studio performs Halloween-inspired dances at the bandstand on the Sele every year.

The free family event offers something for everyone.

S&S Attire's Halloween window at their old site (Image: S&S Attire)

Fairground rides, games and hot and cold food are available for the thousands of people who flock to the town every year, many in fancy dress, passing the shop windows dressed in Halloween regalia.

This year, some activities included pumpkin carving and an arty party at Hexham Community Centre; creepy crafts and slightly scary storytime at Hexham Library; and lantern-making at Queen’s Hall.

There were spooky stories told at Cogito Books, plus faces painted.

Studio 19 salon's window (Image: Newsquest)

Entries for 2023's Spookiest Window Competition closed on October 27.

Little Mexico's window (Image: Newsquest)