18 May 2026
The public has spoken, more than 11,000 votes have been verified, and now the winners of the St Albans Retailer of the Year Awards have been revealed.
A sell-out audience at the Maltings Arts Theatre earlier this evening cheered as hosts Richard Marrett and David Jenkins announced who had received the biggest number of public votes in each different category.
The awards, delivered by The Maltings Shopping Centre in partnership with the St Albans Times, celebrate the very best of St Albans’ retail, hospitality and service sectors, from independent boutiques and salons to national brands, cafés, bars and restaurants.
So who picked up this year’s gongs, as voted by YOU?
The winner of the Customer Service category was previous winner Theresa Kennedy of Up We Pop, who also took the Independents award.
The Odyssey Cinema won the Entertainment and Lifestyle category, with DavVero in Marshalswick’s The Quadrant the clear winner of the Restaurant award.
Gym CIRC-HIIT received the Newcomer accolade, while 305 Barber Co on Holywell Hill was the Hair and Beauty winner.
Your favourite Pub and Bar was The Great Northern, and the Food and Drink award once again went to Kat’s Oriental Cuisine.
A surprise result in the Fashion and Accessories category, with the Marshalswick Hospice of St Francis charity shop taking the title. Finally, the Market Stall award went to popular takeaway Beats and Beigels.
The Champion of Champions award, chosen by a select panel of judges, went to Sean Hughes, landlord of The Boot and owner of Dylan’s and Iberos.
The Maltings centre manager Richard Marrett said: “The response to this year’s awards has been phenomenal and a real reflection of how much people care about supporting local businesses in St Albans. The scale of engagement this year has been incredible, and we’re so proud to see the community come together to celebrate the people and businesses that make our high street such a special place.”
St Albans Times editor Matt Adams added: “This isn’t just about who walked away with the trophy for each category, but is a celebration of everything that makes St Albans’ retail scene so amazing, and we are happy to play our part in highlighting just some of those remarkable businesses which all do their bit towards keeping the city thriving.”
Don’t miss this week’s St Albans Times for reactions and photos from the awards ceremony.
