TWO shop owners were rewarded this week (Monday, July 1 to Friday, July 5) for their artistic endeavours when their shopfronts triumphed in the St Albans Observer Golden Jubilee Shopfront Competition.

Apt Creations in Catherine Street, St Albans, and C and A Ironmongers in Harpenden were deemed to have decorated their windows in an appropriately "right royal fashion" and each will receive a framed photo of their entry.

The St Albans shop will also receive a golden jubilee crystal bell while Mr Michael Weaver from C and A will be presented with a Worcester plate.

Apt Creations manager Silvia Shinn said the shop's victory was a tribute to the team effort of everyone involved.

"We are affiliated to the Camphill Village Trust which is a charity helping people with special needs," she said.

"Hopefully this will help to raise the profile of our work as well as all the shops on Catherine Street."

Mr Weaver said he was proud to have won but was critical of other shops not joining in the golden jubilee celebrations.

"I think a lot of small traders made a lot of effort to mark the occasion but the larger stores and the town council did not get into the spirit of the occasion," he said.

"Despite that, I'm pleased I won and I would also like to congratulate all the shops who did make an effort and helped the town look suitably festive."

July 3, 2002 12:30