Nominations for Retailer of the Year Awards have now closed and been counted as the next stage of the competition gets underway.

People have been naming their favourite shops and businesses around St Albans City Centre located in St Peters Street, Catherine Street, London Road, Chequer Street, the High Street, the top part of Verulam Road and Holywell Hill.

Mystery shoppers will now visit the businesses, which have received nominations between November 27 and December 11, before the shortlisted retailers will be announced on January 2.

The competition began nearly 10 years ago as the brainchild of Cllr Roma Mills, who represents Batchwood and Martin Buhagiar, the former editor of the Review.

Together they built the competition up with the support of the St Albans Civic Society, the Chamber of Commerce and St Albans District Council, with the aim of supporting and promoting the city centre.

The competition did not run last year as they lost two members of the group and a break “was needed”, however, it is making a comeback once more again this winter.

Cllr Roma Mills, who represents the Batchwood Ward, added: “This is your chance to give your favourite shop or hair salon a real boost.”

Nominations for the Festive Pubs category are yet be decided.

A gala night will be held at the Alban Arena on January 29.

Here is the full list of nominations:

Market Trader

Cheese Wheeler 

Fruit & Veg stall by Jack Wills (Sat) and former BHS (Weds)

Chrissy’s cupcakes

Menswear (Gary & wife) near Holland & Barrett (Weds & Sat)

Fish Stall (Sat) Market Place,

Poulters Woollen Throws, Market Place (Sat)

Biscuits & More (Wed)

Patrick Jones, Umbrellas etc near Tesco (Sat)

Brown Bread – Bread & cakes

Tyler’s Fruits – Fruit & Veg Martin

Firsht – Ladies Fashion AC

Picture Framing Helen Lemon (Hats)

Adam Atkins (Peddling Pizza)

Alec Tomasso – The Weeping Chef – Gourmet burgers

Chandler’s Fruit – Fruit & Veg

John Chapman Flowers – Flowers

Dave Bishop (ceramic garden furniture)

Munib Islam (phone accessories)

Darren Phillips (fish)

Jo Wilson (bags and scarves)

Peter Groome (fruit and veg)

Jackie Vine (handmade glass)

Esther Siow (hair accessories)

Molly Boreham (chai tea)

Sam Birchall (fudge)

Zoe Betts (handmade furniture)

Clothes stall, seconds/end of ranges, Market Place

Olive stall, Market Place

Wholefood stall, top of St Peters StreetPicture framers, top of St Peters Street Flower stall, top end of St Peters Street

Grove Fruits

The fishmonger

The Toy Stall, run by Dan Daves

Tasty Bites Health Food Stall

AC Picture frame service

Fashion and Accessories Outlet

Chloe James, in the High Street

Black Eyewear, George Street

Gladrags, Heritage Close

Waterers, High Street

White Stuff, Market Place

Jones the Bootmaker, St Peter’s Street

Fat Face, Chequer Street

D Copperfield, Chequer Street

The Dressing Room, High Street

LK Bennett, Christopher Place

Jane and Dada, High Street Chesca, Market Place

Reiss, Market Place

Crew Clothing, The Maltings

Schuh, The Maltings, Victoria Street

French Connection, Christopher Place

TK Maxx, The Maltings

Chloe James Lifestyle, High Street

Whistles, Christopher Place, Upper Dagnall Street

H&M, Victoria Street

Long Tall Sally, George Street

Cath Kidson, Christopher Place

Carousel, High Street

Specialist Shops

The Radiator Centre, Holywell Hill

Empire Records, Heritage Close.

Alphamarque, Highfield Park, Russet Drive

Flower Box, High Street

Absolutely Fabulous Tanning, St Peter’s Street

Barclays, St Peter’s Street

Lee Moran, Holywell Hill

Stevensons Uniform Outfitters, Victoria Street

Empire Records, High Street

Chaos City Comics, High Street

123floor, London road

Fen Regis Trophies Country to Coast, Upper Dagnall Street

Laundry Xpress, Hatfield Road

Tiger, Christopher Place

Waterstones, St Peters Street

Oxfam Bookshop, Catherine Street

Chantilly Interiors, Catherine Street

Whitewall Gallery, Christopher Place St Albans

Empire Records, 21 Heritage Close, High Street,

Shop on the Hill, 4 London Rd

Raindrops on Roses, 15 High St

The Entertainer, 71-78 St Peter’s

St Steamer Trading Cookshop, 11 St Peter’s Street

Trailfinders, 3 Market Pl, St Albans

Specs Factory, 4 Holywell Hill, St Albans

Carpet and Flooring retailer Robert Dyas

Country to Coast 9 Christopher Place

Cositas Hair and Beauty

Headcase Barbers, Holywell Hill

Alternative barbering Chestnut hair High oaks

Eve and Adam Day spa on Catherine street

Jo Banks Salon

Alley Cats on London Road

Wilde About Hair, 15 French Row,

Greys Hairdressing, Christopher Place, Market Pl,

Lush, 2 The Maltings, Victoria St,

Hob Salons, 9 Chequer St,

Absolutely Fabulous Tanning Salon, 83 St Peter’s St,

Space NK Apothecary, 10 Christopher Place,

Jo Banks Salon and Spa, 30 Chequer St,

Alternative Barbering Company, 19 George St,

The Body Shop, The Maltings, 10 Victoria St,

The Wacky Barber, The Colonnade, 1 Verulam Rd,

Alley Cats Chaps

Champneys

Skin to Love Clinic

Clipso

Favourite Food and Drink

A and C Meats

The Juice Pharm – Juice and Smoothies St Peters Street,

Barrissimo in St Peters Street

Hedges Farm Bar

Espresso

Rock, Pop, Candy,

Flagship Wines, 417 Hatfield Rd, St Albans

Gills Bakery 6 Market Pl, St Albans

Simmons Bakery 9 French Row,

Hotel Chocolat, 34 Chequer St,

Tomoka Spirits Boutique, 34 Chequer St,

The Bread Shop, The Maltings, 50 Victoria St,

The Beer Shop

Boungiorno Italia

Mr Simms Traditional Sweet Shop 5 French Row