Ginger & Lime were top of the crop last year when they were named winner of the Hair and Beauty category.

Our judges had their work cut-out to select a winner from another highly competitive shortlist but the Hatfield Road beauty salon proved to a cut above the competition.

The salon has been nominated again this year along with previous winners Sanrizz, Eve & Adam, Wilde About Hair and Greys.

You can still nominate retailers in one of six categories - fashion and accessories; specialist shops; markets trader; restaurants and cafes; food and drink and hair and beauty.

This category is sponsored by the Review.

All nominations should be received by midnight on May 10. After this date our team of mystery shoppers will hit the streets, putting each and every retailer to the test. All nominated retailers will also be sent a window poster.

The competition is a joint initiative between the Review, St Albans District Council, St Albans Civic Society and St Albans District Chamber of Commerce.

To nominate a retailer text the word ‘retailer’ followed by the name and address of the business to 80360. Texts cost 50p.

You can also nominate by filling out the form in this week’s Review or by emailing revieweditor@london.newsquest.co.uk

  • This year the competition has again been backed by generous local businesses. The Federation of Small Businesses is sponsoring the Food and Drink category; The Maltings has sponsored Fashion and Accessories; Christopher Place has sponsored the Cafes and Restaurants category and the District Chamber of Commerce will sponsor the STAR award. The Review has agreed to sponsor the Hair and Beauty category while St Albans District Council is sponsoring Specialist Shops. Meanwhile St Albans Civic Society has sponsored the Festive Shop Window competition. 

Freddie's restaurant, Cuthbert's Toys, Buongiorno Italia and Ginger and Lime have also made generous contributions to the year's competition. 

Retailers nominated so far this year: 

Specialist Shops
Panda Cards, Waddington Road
Cuthberts Toys, Christopher Place
Jessops, The Maltings
Waterstones, St Peters Street
By George, George Street
Reddies, Catherine Street
Scallydog’s Emporium, Hatfield Road
B Healthy, The Quadrant
Black Iris Flowers, High Oaks
FunZone Fancy Dress, High Oaks
Alphamarque, Russet Drive
Huttons, The Maltings
Steamer Trading Company, St Peters Street
Boots, St Peters Street
Wilkinsons, Maltings
Pots of Art, Holywell Hill
Chantilly Interiors, Catherine Street
Argos, Spencer Street
Cuthberts Toys, Christopher Place
Ann Summers, Maltings
Currency Exchange Corporation, Holywell Hill
St Albans Music Centre, Holywell Hill
Marks and Spencer’s, St Peters Street
Oxfam, Chequer Street
BHS, St Peters Street
Printed Clothing Company, Verulam Road

Hair and Beauty
Greys, Christopher Place
Wilde About Hair, French Row
Mosaic Hair, The Quadrant
Essence Hair and Beauty Lounge, Camp Road
NS Salons, Holywell Hill
Chaps, Catherine Street
Alternative Barber Company, George Street
Body Shop, Maltings
St Albans Barbers, Catherine Street
Ginger and Lime, Hatfield Road
Sarah Iovane Hair London Road
Elle-es hair, Victoria Street
Sanrizz, Maltings
Eve and Adam, Catherine Street

Fashion and Accessories
Kurt Geiger, The Maltings
Green Boutique, Village Arcade
Simply French, Holywell Hill
The Dressing Room, High Street
H&M, The Maltings
Jigsaw, St Peters Street
Jane and Dada, George Street
Carousel The Handbag Boutique, Village Arcade
The Green Boutique, Village Arcade
Gladrags, Heritage Close
LKBennett, Christopher Place
Swarovski Boutique, Christopher Place

Food and Drink
City Food & Wine. Catherine Street
Hulse Greengrocers, Cell Barnes Lane
Majestic Wine, Beech Road
West Cornwall Pasty Company, Market Place
Dixie’s Cupcakery, Market Place
Buongiorno Italia, Lattimer Road
Wittard, Market Place
Santinos, Hatfield Road
A&C Meats, Catherine Street
Hatch, Maltings
Cornish Pasty Co, Market Place
Ellis Butchers, Victoria Street

Cafés and Restaurants
Lussmanns, Waxhouse Gate
Buckos, Market Place
The Waffle House, Kingsbury Watermill, St Michael’s
Fishy Delishy, Catherine Street
Bakehouse, Heritage Close
Bellaccino’s French Row
Merchant Tea and Coffee Company
Freddie’s, Adelaide Street
Courtyard Cafe, Hatfield Road
Lussmanns, Waxhouse Gate
Café Roma, St Peters Street
Zaza, High St
Bar Espresso, Victoria Street
Costa Coffee, Maltings
Café NES, Town Hall
Barissimo, St Peters Street
L'Italiana, French Row

Markets Traders
Eastside Nursery (outside Barclays Bank, Saturday)
Card Sisters (Christine and Marion)
Colin Wright Bird Stall (Saturdays)
Spice stall/wholefood stall (top of market)
Hopscotch Toys
Rocks and Stones (outside Boots)
Toys Stall (outside Jigsaw on Wednesday)
Dress/clothes stall
Cheese stall
Olive Stall
Jewellery Stall (outside Steamer Trading Company)
Poulter’s Fish
Fish Stall (Outside Dollond & Aitchison)
Fruit and Veg stall (Outside Marks and Spencer)
Handbag and Luggage stall (Yvonne outside Clintons)
The Cheesewheeler
Card Stall
Fish stall (Saturdays)
Grove Fruits
Poulter’s Fish
John's Fabrics
Biscuits and More