THE South Street bookshop is one of five competition winners in the UK and Ireland to have their shopfront window professionally decorated.

Run by retired teachers, Sue and Richard D’Rozario, Bookshop by the Blackdowns has won a Bloomsbury sponsored prize-draw to have their shop window hand painted by the creative arts agency, We the Seeds.

The vibrant shopfront artwork features a hand painting that mirrors the cover art of Katherine Rundell’s bestselling book ‘Impossible Creatures’ to promote and celebrate the paperback release of the fantasy novel.

We the Seeds artists Rikesh and Marta hand painted the new design on the bookshop's window
We the Seeds artists Rikesh and Marta hand painted the new design on the bookshop's window (Photo: Bookshop by the Blackdowns)
Bookshop by the Blackdowns has won a Bloomsbury sponsored prize-draw to have their shop window hand painted by the creative arts agency, We the Seeds.
The bookshop front with the painted design mirroring Katherine Rundell’s bestselling book cover ‘Impossible Creatures’ (Photo: Bookshop by the Blackdowns)

Having been emailed by Bloomsbury with the chance to win, Sue entered the ‘Impossible Creatures competition’ and was one of five lucky winners to have their window decorated.

Sue and Richard say they are delighted to have won.

Richard said: "Rikesh and Marta from the public arts agency We the Seeds spent a whole day with us hand painting our window.

“They received many compliments from people and even offers of private commissions.

"The finished artwork is really spectacular and, as fate would have it, coincides with the third anniversary of our opening of the shop in November 2021.

“In that time, we have built an enthusiastic and loyal customer base, enjoyed running events for authors and developed a number of links with local schools and their literacy initiatives."

Sue added: "Winning this competition means that we know our lead title for children this Christmas will be Impossible Creatures."

We the Seeds artists, Rikesh and Marta, will be painting the next winner’s window in Colchester next week and then Dublin on the following weekend.