Are you our Retailer of the Year?

9:41am Wednesday 20th February 2008

WE have always been proud of our city centre and the many traders which make it such a vibrant and exciting place.

Now we want to give something back.

We are therefore delighted to announce the details of our 2008 Retailer of the Year Awards.

Last year the Review sought to improve trade for businesses struggling to make ends meet because of a decrease in footfall.

In 2008 we want to help improve morale and get the feel-good-factor back into shopping in St Albans city centre - for both retailers and shoppers.

The awards will culminate in a cabaret-style ceremony to be held at the Alban Arena on June 23. (Ticket details will be announced later).

So how will it work?

The Retailer of the Year committee has agreed six categories which represent all shops in the city centre.

These are:

• Specialist shops - to include book shops, jewellers, toys shops etc.
  
  

• Fashion and accessory retailers.
  
  

• Markets trader.
  
  

• Hair and beauty salons - including barbers.
  
  

• Food and drinks retailer - to include sweet shops, butchers, bakers, etc.
  
  

• Café and restaurants - to include restaurants in pubs and bars.

Readers and shoppers can nominate their favourite haunts as can the retailers themselves.

Starting from next week, we will report on each category in-depth and will explain how you can enter.

To stop larger retailers with more customers from unfairly winning by continuously voting, the Retailer of the Year committee has put in place an army of mystery shoppers who are ready to pound the streets to put all of our entries to the test.

The committee will then shortlist three retailers in each category, with the winner of each to be announced before the awards evening. The overall winner will be selected from one of the six category victors and will be given their prize by a mystery celebrity guest.

A map has been drawn up to show the areas in which retailers can enter. If you fall outside a particular zone, but would like to enter, let us know and we will do our best to include you.

Don't forget to read next week's Review for details on how to enter. A special area will also be set up on our website with all the details. You will also be able to download nomination forms by visiting this website. Full details will be announced at a later date.

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