Our mystery shoppers have been pounding the streets of St Albans for weeks putting all  nominated traders to the test.

With that process completed the Retailer of the Year committee met last week to select the five short-listed traders in each category.

All will be invited to the 2014 Retailer of the Year gala awards dinner which will be held at the Alban Arena on Monday, June 23.

Tickets are also now on sale for the event. Priced at £6 they can be purchased at the Tourism Information Centre which is in the Town Hall, in Market Place, St Albans.

The short-listed traders for the 2014 Retailer of the Year Awards are:

Specialist Shops

Chantilly Interiors, Catherine Street 
Empire Records, Heritage Close  
Pots of Art, Holywell Hill     
Printed Clothing Ltd, Verulam Road 
Steamer Trading Cook Shop, St Peters Street

Fashion & Accessories

Gladrags, Heritage Close 
Little Viking, George Street 
Long Tall Sally, George Street
Roman, The Maltings 
The Dressing Room, High Street 

Cafes & Restaurants

Brasserie Blanc, Verulam Road
Jamie's Italian, Chequer Street 
L'Italiana, French Row  
Thompson@ Darcy's Restaurant 
Verdi's Trattoria, Clarence Road

Market Traders

Alban Blinds 
Anthony Lewis Photography
Card Stall Sisters
Carpet Walker
Cheesewheeler

Food & Drink

Baked Nation,  Victoria Street
Hotel Chocolat, Chequer Street
Simmons Baker, French Row
Tomoka Spirits, Christopher Place
West Cornwall Pasty Co, Market Place

Hair & Beauty

Alternative Barbering Co, George Street
Champneys, Market Place
Elles. Es Hair Studio, Victoria Street  
Greys Hairdressing,  Christopher Place 
Lush, The Maltings