A student whose winning design is highlighting Mansfield town centre’s Take A Seat campaign hopes it will appeal to all shoppers.

Mansfield BID (Business Improvement District) is working with Vision West Nottinghamshire College and Swinton Insurance on the Healthy High Streets scheme that sees shops and businesses offering a seat to people who need it, without any obligation to buy anything.

Students from the college’s Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT Level 2 (Software & Systems Support) took part in a competition to design the poster that will be used by businesses to show they are participating in the campaign.

Kulraj Singh Johal (16), of Pinxton, won the competition, scooping a goodie bag from Boots worth more than £100. Kulraj (pictured centre) said: “My design showed a classic armchair, with a swirled pattern and a black outer circle. I wanted to make the chair stand out using vibrant colours to attract the target audiences.

“I hope it appeals to young and old as both groups would probably welcome a sit down when they’re out shopping in Mansfield.”

Runner-up was Fabio Incerti (17), of Farnsfield, and third was Ryan Gill (19), of Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Businesses taking part so far include Boots, Swinton Insurance, Bon Marche, Collections, The Nottingham, Xibit Jewellery, Santander, The Shiny Spoon, Charmingly Yours, Mansfield Museum, Wilkos, Manor Pharmacy, Birds, 10 Green Bottles, M&S and Harmony Health.

Sarah Nelson, BID manager, (also pictured) said: “This is a superb idea and will help people, particularly at this time of year when folk are busy running around buying things for Christmas. It is great to see that Kulraj thought about what the campaign is all about when thinking of the design.”

Businesses will display the poster in their shop windows, highlighting the fact that they are participating in the initiative.

Any shops or businesses that want to take part in the Mansfield Take A Seat initiative should email [email protected].