The very best of St Albans’ businesses were celebrated and honoured on Monday night at our annual Retailer of the Year awards evening in the Alban Arena.

Nominations were for six categories: Specialist Shops; Hair and Beauty, Fashion and Accessories; Market Traders; Cafes and Restaurants and Food and Drink.

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, Councillor Heidi Allen and former Review editor Martin Buhagiar, then decided on the winner of each category.

The first prize of the evening, Specialist Shops, was presented to Chantilly Interiors in Catherine Street by Councillor Roma Mills.

Up next was the Food and Drink category, presented to Baked Nation in Victoria Street, by Alderman Melvyn Teare.

Cheesewheeler, as owned by Martijn Kanap, was named winner of the Market Traders category, as presented by St Albans Civic Society member, Eric Roberts.

Greys Hairdressing won the Hair and Beauty category, as presented by Alastair Woodgate from St Albans Chamber of Commerce.

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

Maria Cutler, economic development officer at the district council presented The Dressing Room in the High Street with the award for the Fashion and Accessories category.

The Cafe and Restaurants award went to Verdi’s Trattoria in Clarence Road, as presented by Councillor Heidi Allen.

Staff from The Boot in Market Place, which was named Festive Pub of the Year and Raft, in Chequer Street Festive Window of the Year winner, were also presented with their awards.

Greys Hairdressing in Christopher Place took home the overall Retailer of the Year prize.

For full coverage of the event see tomorrow's Review.