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
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