The very best of St Albans’ businesses were celebrated and honoured at our annual Retailer of the Year awards evening.

Cheers and drum rolls filled Club Batchwood on Monday night as hundreds of guests waited for this year’s overall winner to be announced.

D. Copperfield in Chequer Street took home the prize, prompting an eruption of applause as staff took to the stage to collect their award from committee chairman Roma Mills and newly elected Mayor of St Albans Salih Gaygasuz.

The high end fashion store for men boasts more than 40 years in business.

Owner Harry Block said: "I’m speechless.

"I’m really proud, having only been in charge of the store for two years.

"We’ve built a good team and we’re really happy to be recognised within St Albans.

"The store’s been open 43 years and we like to think we’re a big part of the city’s community. "It’s good to receive this award to certify that."

Established by the St Albans & Harpenden Review, St Albans District Council, St Albans Civic Society and St Albans Chamber of Commerce, more than 2,000 nominations were received for this year's competition.

Mystery shoppers spent weeks pounding the streets, putting all our nominated traders to the test.

Nominations were for seven categories: Specialist Shops, Hair and Beauty, Fashion and Accessories, Markets Traders, Cafes and Restaurants, Food and Drink and Neighbourhood Shops.

The Retailer of the Year committee, made up of Councillor Roma Mills, Alderman Melvyn Teare, Chamber member Sandra Oldfield, civic society member Eric Roberts, council officer Maria Cutler, and former Review editor Martin Buhagiar, then decided on the winner of each category.

Now in its eighth year, the glitzy gala awards evening, held for the first time at Club Batchwood, aims to recognise the achievements of the city’s many unsung heroes and hard-working independent retailers.

Mr Buhagiar, the evening’s compere, said the awards were launched to "support and champion" the businesses in the city.

The first prize of the evening, Specialist Shops, was presented to Chloe James in High Street by Councillor Roma Mills.

Up next was the Food and Drink category, presented to Barrisimo in St Peters Street, by Alderman Melvyn Teare.

Sycamore Wholefoods was named winner of the Markets Traders category, as presented by St Albans Civic Society member Eric Roberts.

Funzone won the first ever Neighbourhood Shops award, presented by Mr Buhagiar.

Sue Bradford, the owner, said: "It’s fantastic to win the award. I’m chuffed."

D. Copperfield was named the winner of the Fashion and Accessories category.

Up next was the Restaurants category, which was won by Bar Espresso in Victoria Street.

Nic Monastero, owner and chef, said: "It’s unbelievable to have won.

"But everyone that was nominated in the category is a winner.

"Thank you to all the staff and customers and every business in the category."

Sanrizz in The Maltings was crowned winner of the Hair and Beauty category.

This year’s Star Award, which was introduced in 2010 to reward traders that go that little bit further, went to Chaos City Comics in Heritage Close.

The Lower Red Lion, which was named Festive Pub of the Year and Raindrops on Roses, the Festive Window of the Year winner, were also presented with their awards.

For a gallery of the evening, click here.