Independent shopkeepers in St Albans had mixed fortunes over the Christmas period with some recording their best ever sales period while others struggled as the appeal of shopping on the high street decreased.

Donna Nichol, owner of Chloe James Lifestyle, said: “We noticed people seemed to be a bit more organised this year and started shopping earlier which meant we smashed our targets.

“The Christmas period is vital for small retailers. Competition is high and it’s crucial you sell as much as possible before discounting in the January sales. We worked hard to get special orders in for customers right up until the last minute.”

Sally-Anne Shepherd, managing director at Eve & Adam Boutique Spa in Catherine Street, said her shop recorded “their best Christmas trading figures since 2003”.

She said: “Our diary was 100% booked up for treatments for the whole of December.”

However, Emma Bustamante, who has only traded at her gift shop, Cositas, in Holywell Hill since February, revealed “some independents had told her that their Christmas trading figures were down by as much as 30 per cent which as a new business was "worrying to hear”.

Sue Wybrow, from St Albans Businesses, which works to support businesses in the city, said: “Christmas is a fantastic opportunity for businesses to not only promote their goods and services but to also collaborate and get together.

“We are focusing this year, on providing businesses with a “shop window” for the surrounding area to #ShopLocal, as well as connecting people to enable growth, support and working together.