There was an awards bonanza for small businesses in North Herts and Bedfordshire recently when the regional winners of the Muddy Stilettos were announced.

Muddy Stiletto readers pick out their favourite businesses in a number of categories, with more than 800,000 votes cast across the country.

Plenty of local businesses took home gongs in the Herts & Beds regional awards, and they will now compete against other regional winners at the National Muddy Stilettos Awards 2023.

Hero Brown, founder and editor-in-chief of Muddy Stilettos, said: “I set up these awards 10 years ago to give local lifestyle businesses a chance to shout about how brilliant they are.

"It’s been an honour to showcase the most creative, innovative lifestyle businesses across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, in partnership with our local sponsors.

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"The response to this year’s Muddy Awards has been incredible with many thousands voting to support wonderful local businesses and their own vibrant communities.”

Our local winners were:

Best art gallery: Broadway Gallery, Letchworth

Best bar: The Wee Vinoteca, Hitchin

Best beauty salon/clinic: SkinLab Boutique, Barton-le-Clay

Best bookshop: Next Page Books, Hitchin

Best boutique stay: The Meadows at Polehanger, Shefford

Best fitness instructor: Charlotte Philo (Philo Fit), Stevenage

Best florist: Julie Cambridge Floral Design, Sandy

Best hair salon: Bows Hair and Beauty Salon, Baldock

Best lifestyle store: No. 14, Ampthill

Best local food and drink producer: Luke's Patisserie, Hitchin

Best wedding venue: The Barn at the Farmhouse Redcoats, Hitchin

Best women's fashion store: Rubarb, Hitchin