St Albans Festive Pub of the Year to be decided

Nineteen pubs have been entered by Review readers and they will all be put to the test over the next ten days by our mystery drinkers. More than 220 nominations were received.

Each establishment will be assessed on a number of different criteria including the decorations, the level of Christmas cheer on show from staff and of course, the pub's Christmas menu.

Our Retailer of the Year committee - which comprises of the Review, St Albans District Council, St Albans Chamber and St Albans Civic Society - has challenged city centre pubs to push the boat out in a bid to be crowned St Albans Festive Pub of the Year, a title won by The Portland Arms last year.

The group will also judge shop windows and will hand out an award for the most festive shop window in the city centre.

Pubs nominated this year are:

White Swan, Upper Dagnall Street

Farmer's Boy, London Road

The Goat, Sopwell Lane

The Peacock, Hatfield Road

Bar 62, Catherine Street

Hare and Hounds, Sopwell Lane

Ye Olde Fighting Cocks, Abbey Mill Lane

Rose and Crown, St Michaels Street

Waterend Barn, St Peters St

Slug and Lettuce, Victoria Street

The Boot, Market Place

The Portland Arms, Portland Street

Blacksmiths Arms, St Peter's Street

Robin Hood, Victoria Street

The Peahen, London Road

The White Lion, Sopwell Lane

Lower Red Lion, Fishpool St

The Cock, St Peters Street

The Horn, Victoria Street