Coes’ flagship Ipswich store has unveiled its spectacular Christmas window display – this year based on the ‘Art of Giving’ in aid of Cancer Research UK.

Ipswich Star: Coes in Ipswich has unveiled its Christmas window for 2016.Coes in Ipswich has unveiled its Christmas window for 2016. (Image: sarah lucy brown)

The popular shop, which opened its doors in 1928, prides itself on putting on an eye-catching festive display every year, starting the design a full six months before Christmas.

Its stunning windows have been a highlight of Norwich Road since the clothing shop’s launch, bringing smiles to everyone who passes.

For the last ten years Sonja Talbot has been in charge of creating the display, a job she says is a ‘thrill’.

Ipswich Star: Coes in Ipswich has unveiled its Christmas window for 2016.Coes in Ipswich has unveiled its Christmas window for 2016. (Image: sarah lucy brown)

“I have been at Coes for 27 years and it’s my 28th Christmas,” she said.

“We have an advertising team who give us a short brief and then we are left to get on with it ourselves.

“I probably come up with the main idea but then our team have a chat and bounce ideas off each other.

Ipswich Star: Coes Christmas window of 2007Coes Christmas window of 2007 (Image: Archant)

“It’s a thrill.

“There is always a bit of pressure too because we want to beat last year’s.”

This year the store has launched a range of charity Christmas cards featuring artwork from 10 new and established Suffolk artists.

Ipswich Star: Coes Christmas window of 2009Coes Christmas window of 2009 (Image: Archant)

Every penny from sales of the cards will be donated to Cancer Research UK with Coes aiming to raise £20,000 for the charity this winter.

Sonja said the theme of 2016’s display was based on this campaign.

She said: “We have used themes taken from those cards in this year’s windows but have an overall colour scheme of copper, white and grey.

Ipswich Star: Coes Christmas window of 2010Coes Christmas window of 2010 (Image: Archant)

“The theme really is ‘The Art of Giving’.

“It takes about two weeks to install the window displays but to prepare for it we usually start thinking about it in June or July.

“It makes Christmas seem a very long period of time but it is very exciting.

Ipswich Star: Coes Christmas window of 2011Coes Christmas window of 2011 (Image: Archant)

“It is a lot of hard work though.

“I always think the current year’s is my favourite but a couple of years ago we did a Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe and Narnia-themed one which was great.

“The wooden lodge was one I really enjoyed doing too.”

Ipswich Star: Coes Christmas window of 2012Coes Christmas window of 2012 (Image: Archant)

Owner William Coe said: “Our display team always strives to create windows that are eye-catching and imaginative.

“The biggest challenge of the year is always Christmas as we strive to come up with something original, tie into what we are upromoting in the shop, and capture the spirit of the festive season.

“Over the last few years, since we have had the new shop front, we have had a bigger opportunity to make a statement and the team have risen to the challenge.

Ipswich Star: Coes Christmas window of 2014Coes Christmas window of 2014 (Image: Archant)

“We get lots of comments from customers and people who pass daily saying how good our windows are and we’re often told that Christmas has not begun until our windows are launched.

“I’m very proud of what the team have done this year and hopefully it will also help us raise a significant sum for Cancer Research UK.”