Retailers and businesses are urged to join in the local competition that will give shops a boost ready for Norwich Fashion Week.

Shop windows across the city could soon be given a revamp thanks to the Retail Skills Academy at City College Norwich.

The academy that helps students and independent retailers improve their business and customer services skills has launched a competition to find the best dressed window display in the city.

The competition is run in conjunction with Norwich Fashion Week, which runs from Thursday March 8 until Thursday March 15.

The aim of the competition is to help promote independent retailers in the city centre by creating window displays that attract customers.

Head of the Retail Skills Academy Sue Dougal says: 'The window display competition is open to all retailers in the city. The idea is for the retailer to work with a student from the Retail Skills Academy and City College Norwich to create a window display befitting of Norwich Fashion Week.

'The competition is open to all fashion and fashion and beauty related shops that have adequate window space and are located in Norwich.

'It is also a chance for retailers to strengthen the links between education and business by working with a student from the College's BTEC Business with Retail, Diploma in Fashion Retail or Fashion and Textile courses.'

Last year's winning retailer was Nola on Timberhill who worked with student Lauren Loh. Nola won a training course at the Retail Skills Academy in Norwich. The same prize is being offered to this year's winner.

Sam Papworth from Nola says: 'We really had fun putting the window together and working with our student Lauren, it was good to have fresh ideas.

'Taking part in the window competition did attract a lot of attention to our store. I would encourage retailers to take part in this year's competition as it really does get your shop noticed on the high street.'

Student winner Lauren Loh's prize included work experience at Jarrold. Says Lauren: The work experience at Jarrold was an eye-opener, I thoroughly enjoyed it.'

Entrants are invited to be as creative as they like with their window display and live displays are encouraged.

If you are a retailer and would like to take part in this year's Norwich Fashion Week Window Display competition contact Alex Hill at the Retail Skills Academy retail@ccn.ac.uk or call 01603 667668. The closing date for retailers to express an interest is February 16. The winner will be announced at the Norwich Fashion Week Independent Retailers Show on Thursday March 8.

Keep reading the Life Matters pages in your Norwich Evening News over the next month for full details and how you can get tickets to some or all of the events. Visit the Norwich Fashion Week website homepage by clicking on the link at the top right of this page, or follow us on the Life Matters Facebook page www.facebook.com/norwich.life or Twitter at @NorwichFashion