Co-Op Funeralcare stunned with mayor’s choice win in Newbury Weekly News and Thatcham Town Council best dressed Christmas window competition

A funeral care business was left shocked and stunned when it found out it had won the town mayor’s favourite Christmas window.

Co Op Funeralcare won the mayor’s choice in the in Newbury Weekly News and Thatcham Town Council best dressed Christmas window competition this year.

The decision was made at the Thatcham Christmas Light Switch-On.

In addition to a ‘people’s vote’ winner, the mayor of Thatcham Mark Lillycrop had a look at all the entrants and picked his favourite festive window.

This year, Co Op Funeralcare in The Broadway was the pick of the bunch.

The team created a Christmas tree out of books – borrowed from a nearby Co Op store – for the storefront.

In its second window it put up its memorial tree – for people to leave personal messages to loved ones on.

Handmade toys were also placed in the window.

The business also opened up a community room for mince pies, coffee and a chance to chat.

Once Co Op was named mayor’s choice, the community room became flooded with people.

“We are so, so proud and so, so chuffed,” said manager Jo Winter.

“We met so many people in the town and when we went back to the branch we had people waiting outside.

“The [book] tree took a few tries but it was really fun.

“I wanted to make it rustic.”