A FORMER BCoT fashion retail student has been commissioned by a high street regeneration company to update and revitalise shop windows in the Top of The Town.

Emma Thompson, who is currently studying business at BCoT, was part of the team who created the window displays at the college’s shop in Church Street, called Vintage Treasures.

Emma worked closely with shop manager Victoria Kennedy to gather ideas and create designs to reflect the vintage theme.

She then led the installation and impressed Victoria so much that she has now been given total responsibility for the window displays.

Emma’s talents have also been recognised by high street regeneration consultants, Retail Revival.

The company is collaborating with Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to revitalise the shop window displays in the Top of The Town.

Sally Williams, from Retail Revival, was so impressed by Emma’s work at Vintage Treasures that she has now employed her to work throughout the summer on retail windows all over the Top of The Town area.

Emma said: “I really enjoyed working on the Vintage Treasures window.

“It allowed me to be really creative and quirky whilst incorporating the vintage theme of the shop.

“It’s great that this has led to an opportunity to work with Sally and her team this summer as it will give me so much experience in designing windows for all shop genres.”

Emma is due to finish her Level 3 Business course in June and is hoping to progress to the new Level 4 Fashion Retail course starting at BCoT in September.

She is also looking into options at university.

Her tutor, head of fashion retail Sarah Gallagher, is delighted with how well Emma’s designs have been received.

She added: “Emma is one of the hardest-working students I have taught – she gives 100 per cent commitment to everything she does.

“I am so pleased that she has had a chance to showcase her incredible talent for visual merchandising and has been offered a summer job as a result of her work at Vintage Treasures.

“She deserves all the success that comes her way.

“The great thing is that when she starts her Level 4 Diploma in fashion retailing in September she will be able to carry on working on the window displays part time alongside her studies so she can develop both her knowledge and practical skills in the workplace at the same time.”

Vintage Treasures opened just after Easter this year, and sells a variety of vintage goods, such as clothes, candles, handbags and shoes.