Newcastle residents react to Fenwick window reveal for 2023

Newcastle department store Fenwick, have put on an incredible window display at Christmas for over 50 years, and its reveal is one of the most highly anticipated events in the North East.

Fenwick first unveiled a themed window display in 1971, which was Camberwick Green. Since then, Fenwick have continued with their tradition, and previous years have seen displays dedicated to Paddington, Shaun the Sheep, Beatrix Potter and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - to name a few.

The window display for 2023 was revealed on Sunday, November 5, with the people of Newcastle gathering for the reveal and many watching from home via Fenwick’s live feed on the likes of YouTube.

It was revealed within the exciting event that this year’s display is dedicated to the much-loved book and film series, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe from The Chronicles of Narnia series, created by C.S Lewis.

The window follows the story of the series’ main characters, siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy as they discover the enhanced world of Narnia after entering a wardrobe.

The people of Newcastle who were in attendance at the Northumberland Street store for its reveal, gave their opinion on this year’s incredible display.

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“I love it, I love Narnia. I think it’s a nice theme for the children,” said one resident, named Katherine.

“It’s a good one! Better than some of the other’s we had recently,” said Paddy.

Joy and Barbara commented: “It’s quite good! Better than last year.”

Given that the Fenwick window displays are geared toward children’s favourite stories, a young girl named Esther was asked her opinion. She said: “It’s really good, I enjoy looking at it. I like Narnia, it’s really good!”

Amanda said: “It’s amazing. I’ve read the books and seen the films and they are amazing so I can’t complain.”

The residents of Newcastle were also asked if visiting Fenwick’s window reveals were a tradition, and they were in agreement.

Joy and Barbara said: “We’ve been coming since we were small!”

Joy said: “I used to come with my mam, and now I’m bringing my granddaughter.”

Paddy said: “It’s a big thing. The live launch, everyone seems to engage, and we were excited to find out what it was.

Katherine said: “Fenwick, you associate it with Christmas, and all the traditions we have grown up with as children in the North East.”