Emma Bustamante of Cositas.
- Credit: Laura Bill
St Albans businesses have walked away with a trophy case full of gongs at a regional awards ceremony.
The Muddy Stiletto Awards for Herts and Beds recognise the achievements of independent business across both counties, and there were plenty of accolades for our district.
Emma Bustamante from Cositas and Cositas Gifts won the best Interiors Store award.
She said: We are all beyond excited to win the Muddy Stilettos Award for the third year running! This year means even more to us because I was afraid of the changed retail landscape left behind from Covid; the rise in online shopping, the unease some people might have felt about returning to shops and then again with the lifting of the masks.
Freedom Day 2021: What are St Albans businesses doing?
hertsad.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hertsad.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Property Secrets: Emma Bustamante of Cositas
hertsad.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from hertsad.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Books on the Hill in St Albans.
- Credit: Matt Adams
The next phase in the government s roadmap out of lockdown will see the re-opening of non-essential shops for the first time in months.
From next Monday, April 12, we will once again be able to visit bookshops and boutiques, gift shops and game shops, and have actual face-to-face conversations with real life retailers.
Ahead of their grand re-openings, we spoke to some of the city s independents to find out how they feel about welcoming customers back into their stores.
The Dressing Room in St Albans High Street.
- Credit: Matt Adams