The Love Hertford Awards ceremony took place last night, with visitors, residents and local businesses invited to a virtual event to announce the winners of the 2021 competition.
The Love Hertford Awards is organised by Hertford Town Council to celebrate, support and recognise the array of county town businesses.
Thousands of votes were cast for people’s favourite Hertford retailers and businesses.
The online event began with Julie Marson MP giving an encouraging speech to Hertford businesses, followed by the awards announcements. It culminated with the Mayor of Hertford, Cllr Bob Deering, declaring the three finalists in the Community and Voluntary category as joint winners, in recognition of a year in which many businesses have played a vital role in supporting the local community.
A total of 59 businesses entered the awards competition and the finalists and winners were selected by the judging panel, made up of representatives the local community.
The following winners and finalists were announced:
Fashion
Winner – The Women’s Society Boutique
Finalists – Mint of Hertford & Frankie & Olive
Pub or Restaurant
Winner – The White Lion
Finalists – The Old Cross Tavern & Lussmanns Fish and Grill
Café or Fast Food
Winner – Hertford Cake Company
Finalists – Mudlarks Garden Café & Giambrones Italian Deli
Hair and Beauty
Winner – Fred & Ginger
Finalists – The Beauty Room & The Skull Club
Health and Wellbeing
Winner – The Secret Space
Finalists – Highway Cycles & Replenish Refill
Home and Interiors
Winner – Albany Radio
Finalists – Visp Bathrooms Ltd & Messages
Food and Drink Retailers
Winner – Mind The Gap
Finalists – Cavavin & G.Picketts of Hertford
Professional Services
Winner – Post and Packing
Finalists – Chapter79 & Cariad Marketing Ltd
Specialist Retailer
Winner – Highway Cycles
Finalists – Concord Trophies and Sportswear & UOE Post Office
Community and Voluntary
Winners – McMullens and Sons, Mudlarks Garden Café and Brothership
Chairman of Hertford Town Council’s Development and Leisure Committee, Cllr Jane Sartin, said: "The Love Hertford Awards have once again recognised some of Hertford’s outstanding local businesses. As one of the judges, it was a privilege to read the hundreds of comments submitted by those voting, and there were some very difficult decisions to make on the winners. Shopping locally has never been more important, and the Love Hertford Awards have confirmed how fortunate we are in Hertford to have many fantastic local businesses".