Bath BID Get into the Christmas Spirit with Citywide Bunting Display

This festive season, the Bath BID and Minuteman Press Bath have lined the city streets with a rainbow of artwork created by people who live and work in the local area.

In October, the Bath BID invited the public to enter their Bath at Christmas Art Competition, with the aim of inspiring locals and visitors to rediscover the magic of Bath this Christmas.

The competition was open to everybody living and working in Bath and North East Somerset, with entrants separated into four categories – Under Ten, Under 21, Over 21 and Businesses.

Dozens of entries were submitted, with 31 of the best picked to be reproduced by Minuteman Press Bath as two-metre-long giant bunting, which can be found on lamppost pennants in Southgate Street, Brunel Square and Churchill Bridge in November and December. All the entries will also be available to view in a colourful window display in Abbey Churchyard.

The wonderful designs can be browsed virtually on the new Welcome to Bath website, where there is also an interactive map showing the location of each of the banners.

Allison Herbert, Bath BID’s Chief Executive, said: “Although Christmas will look different this year, the Bath BID has been working hard to make sure there will be plenty of opportunity to soak up the seasonal atmosphere.

“The Bath at Christmas Bunting Display is just one of a number of safe, socially distant, joyful events set to take place in the city this Christmas. We can’t wait for people to come along and see their own artwork on display, just as they did after our successful Bounce Back Bath Art Competition over the summer.

“We hope that on your socially distanced strolls around the city centre, seeing the festive bunting will offer some hope in the lead-up to Christmas.”

David Dixon, Marketing Director at Minuteman Press Bath, said: “It’s been wonderful going through the entries to the Bath at Christmas Art Competition. The range is truly fantastic and seeing the bunting up really does say ‘Welcome to Bath’.

“As people emerge from this second lockdown, Bath is ready to greet them, thanks to the Bath BID and all those that have put in the work to ensure that Bath is ready for Christmas after what has been a very difficult year for many.”

While the banners are on display, the public will be able to vote for their favourite piece of artwork. An expert team of judges have selected a shortlist for each category, with voting set to take place on the Bath BID’s Facebook page. Winners will receive a Bath Gift Card to spend in one of over 200 businesses in Bath.