Designers from BBC's Interior Design Masters return to Salisbury this Christmas

Christmas will come early this year for three lucky Salisbury businesses, as Salisbury BID launches a competition to have a festive window created by one of the designers from BBC’s Interior Design Masters.

This Christmas, BID levy payers will be given the chance to have a festive window display created by one of the designers seen in the last series of the show.

In March this year, one of the episodes of the popular TV programme featured city centre shops Casa Fina, Brides By Victoria and Annie’s Just Jane.

Now, Fran Lee, Amy Davies and Dean Powell, who were all designers within the Salisbury episode, will be back to give businesses another makeover, this time with a festive theme.

The competition, run by Salisbury BID (Business Improvement District), is open to all its members. Anyone wanting to enter will need to fill out an application form and give a short brief as to what they’d like to see in their Christmas display.

Fran, Amy and Dean will then pick the three winners, use the brief as a basis for their final designs and return to Salisbury on 17th and 18th November 2022 to build their surprise Christmas creations.

Chief Executive of Salisbury BID, Robin McGowan, said, “We are absolutely thrilled to welcome back these three talented designers to Salisbury. They made an impact on Interior Design Masters and now they return to help us create a truly magical and unique Salisbury this Christmas.

"Their festive windows will be a great way to showcase city businesses, the creativity we have here and bring new shoppers into the city centre at a crucial time of year. We can’t wait to see the results!”

Fran Lee has been working closely with Salisbury BID to organise the Christmas window competition. In July, she returned to the city to tour the area and meet some of the local business owners.

She said, “I am delighted to be teaming up with Salisbury BID to offer businesses the chance to have a Christmas window created by myself or one of my colleagues from BBC Interior Design Masters. Salisbury holds a special place in our hearts so it’s fantastic to return to create something special for local businesses, especially at a time when they need a boost.

"Christmas is the most wonderful, magical time of the year, and we’re going to make sure that is true in Salisbury!”

Fran will also be creating a handy ‘Christmas Window Top Tips Guide’ which will be available to Salisbury BID levy payers to help them create their own special designs.

There will also be an informal ‘Meet the Designers’ Q&A where audiences will be able to get the lowdown on what really happened behind the scenes when they filmed the BBC series here last year, as well as get interior designer hints and tips.

Susi Mason, owner of Casa Fina and Salisbury BID Director, has been instrumental in bringing the competition together. She said, “Fran did an amazing job when she was given the task of re-designing Casa Fina and I cannot wait to see what she, along with Amy and Dean, have in store for our businesses this Christmas.

"The BBC’s Interior Design Masters really shone a light on our beautiful city and the fantastic businesses here and this competition will continue to promote the unique offer we have here. You won’t get to see these original festive designs anywhere else!”

Any businesses that would like to enter the competition must do so by 4th October 2022. More information can be found on the Salisbury BID website and the application form can be accessed here.

To read more about behind the scenes of BBC’s Interior Design Masters's last visit to Salisbury, click here.