Wickham Market has been chosen as the best dressed community for its support in welcoming today’s OVO Energy Tour of Britain.

East Anglian Daily Times: Inspirations win best dressed business. Picture: SUFFOLK COASTAL DISTRICT COUNCILInspirations win best dressed business. Picture: SUFFOLK COASTAL DISTRICT COUNCIL (Image: Archant)

Shopowners and businesses have been busy decorating their windows with a tour-related theme to welcome the race as it comes through the district en route to the stage finish in Aldeburgh.

Wickham Market took the award for the Best Dressed Community which resulted in the village receiving £500 to spend in the area.

On top of this the village’s emporium shop Inspirations won Best Dressed Business.

Inspirations is owned and run by the community and the shop has been decorated with a bicycle and historical photos of cycling in the town.

The window was designed by Wendy Smith, who changes the window displays regularly.

Colin Owens, chairman of Wickham Market town team said: “We’re pleased to win both awards as it recognises the efforts of the whole community in celebrating the arrival of this prestigious race.

“The retailers in Inspirations are always working to make it an attractive and interesting place to shop, appealing to both residents and visitors alike.

“And this extends to the window display which is changed often and which we regularly get really good comments on. Wendy Smith is our window display organiser and those who have seen the window can see just how much thought, time and imagination has gone into it.”

The competition was judged by councillors TJ Haworth-Culf and Geoff Holdcroft.

Mr Holdcroft, cabinet member for economic development at Suffolk Coastal, said: “Thanks to all the businesses and communities who took part they really did a fantastic job.

“I’m very proud to see how the communities have got behind the Tour this year. Inspirations really did a wonderful display and it was lovely to see how all the retailers in the shop came together to decorate their window.

“We both agreed Wickham Market deserved to win because of the great community spirit they’ve created and their hard work in organising such a fun-filled day of activities on the day of the race.”

Dick Jenkinson, chairman Wickham Market Parish Council is pleased with the villages win.

He said: “The Wickham Market Parish Council have worked closely with the Town Team to make this important cycle event a success in the village.

“For the village to receive the awards of the Best Dressed Window and the Best Community Display is wonderful and just reward for the tremendous effort that the residents have made.”