A new Christmas window on Sutton-on-Hull’s College Street is turning heads
A shopkeeper in Sutton-on-Hull hopes to put a smile on the faces of village residents and passers-by with a colourful Christmas display. It is the first festive period that Jamie Cain has run Sutton Carpets & Flooring having acquired the business in February this year.
The businessman, who previously ran a carpet stall in Bransholme Market, hopes to make his mark on the village’s College Street. And having found professional window artist Jenny Tribillon the pair set out to dream up a winter wonderland scene.
French born Jenny, who hails from Bradford, has created an eye-catching work across the shop’s nine window panes. It features the Raymond Briggs character The Snowman and a young boy flying over a snow dusted landscape including a steam train.
Jamie says he is “chuffed to bits” with how the window looks. He explained: “It’s the first year I’ve had the shop and having previously been in the shopping centre, I didn’t have the facility to do this. So, I just thought I’d do something for the village.”
He added: “The feedback has been fantastic. It was an idea to stand out. We’re in business at the end of the day and you can’t rely on social media all the time to advertise but it’s not purely about that.
“A lot of children walk past the shop and everybody loves Christmas. I just thought it was something a bit different and I don’t think many shops in Hull are really doing anything like that. I’ve not seen many windows done by professional artists and its stands out and it gets us out there – especially a newish business like ours.
“And it does look better in person. When you see it up close you realise the photos don’t really do it justice.”
The painting took Jenny a full day to complete the detailed scene which evokes illustrations from the 1978 book and parts of the early 1980s animated film which has since become a perennial TV favourite. Jenny was trained in window painting by the American artist Leslie Ronald and her work can be seen on businesses across Yorkshire.
Jamie’s shop is open Monday to Saturday, and Sundays by appointment. He is now planning a couple of late night openings in the run up to Christmas, featuring mulled wine and hot chocolate for customers who are hoping to secure the last remaining installation dates ahead of the holidays.
The family business sees Jamie’s wife and daughter involved. And thanks to the positive response from residents and customers, Jamie is already thinking he will stage another display next year, though admits he has “set the bar high” with The Snowman.