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11 Dec 2025
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11 Dec 2025
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This years winners of the City Centre Initiative’s annual Twelve Windows of Christmas Competition.
PICTURED ABOVE: The Mayor Councillor Ruairi McHugh presented the winners of the City Centre Initiative’s annual Twelve Windows of Christmas Competition at a reception in the Guildhall. Receiving the award for second place is Helen Lilley, left from The Sacred Tree with, Caoimhe Doherty and Sinead Quinn from Finan Opticians, who came first and Bryan McCandless from Cityman who came third. (Photos: Martin McKeown)
A special Mayoral reception was held at the Guildhall on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, where Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairi McHugh, honoured the local businesses behind this year’s standout Christmas window displays.
Organised annually by the City Centre Initiative (CCI), the competition celebrates the creativity and colour local businesses bring to the city each Christmas season.
The initiative provides valuable recognition for businesses’ efforts in boosting footfall and enhancing the overall city centre experience for residents and visitors.
Jim Roddy, CEO of CCI, expressed his delight at the overwhelming public response to the competition this year.
The Mayor Councillor Ruairi McHugh hosted the prizegiving for the winners of the City Centre Initiative’s annual Twelve Windows of Christmas Competition in the Guildhall. Receiving the award for second place is Helen Lilley, left from The Sacred Tree with, Caoimhe Doherty and Sinead Quinn from Finan Opticians, who came first and Bryan McCandless from Cityman who came third. Included are Amanda Doherty, Maldron Hotel, Lorraine Allen, City Centre Initiative Project Manager, Jim Roddy, CEO City Centre Initiative, Chiree Bowen, Maldron Hotel and Helen McDonnell, Baur Media.
“We were thrilled to receive more than 5,000 votes - an incredible demonstration of the enthusiasm our businesses have for community-building initiatives and of the strong support they receive from the public. It’s a fantastic way to acknowledge their hard work.”
He explained that the judging process began with a shortlist of the Twelve Windows of Christmas, after which the public was invited to select their favourites via social media. This year’s winners are: 1st – Finan Opticians (Strand Road); 2nd – The Sacred Tree (Craft Village); 3rd – Cityman Menswear (Waterloo Place).
CCI also extended thanks to the competition sponsors - U105, Business Support at Derry City & Strabane District Council, Maldron Hotel, Bauer Media, and Foyleside Shopping Centre - for their valued partnership. “Congratulations to our top three winners, our twelve finalists, and every business that took part or was nominated this year,” they added.
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