The stars of Watford's high street got to shine for a night at an awards ceremony to recognise the brightest and best.

Watford Business Improvement District (BID), held its annual Service Excellence Awards event on Tuesday, recognising the best customer service in town.

Winners are whittled down with a public vote, an independent mystery shopping visit and interviews with customers.

There are 15 categories covering the main business sectors operating in the town centre.

Following a recent refurbishment, Walkabout won in the bar category.

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The Moon Under Water (above) was named top pub for a second time, with family-run restaurant Barracuda (below) also adding to its trophy cabinet.

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Rounding off the food and drink categories, Krispy Kreme (below) was named best coffee shop.

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Flight Centre and Peace Hospice Care not only won the Consumer Services and Community & Voluntary category awards respectively, but scored 100 per cent in their mystery shopping visits for a second year running.

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Based at the top of The Parade, Fancy Dress Castle (above) won the independent retailer category.

Among national chains, Lakeland won the small retailer category and John Lewis & Partners won in the large retailer category for the third time.

Watford Palace Theatre came top in the arts and entertainment category, Fitness4Less (below) took home the fitness and leisure award and Przym once again won the nightclub prize.

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Other winners included Sugarman Health & Wellbeing for professional services, Warren Anthony Estate Agents and Metro Bank.

In a new prize for door staff and security, Colombia Press’s door team were recognised in the new security/door staff award.

This year’s Excellent Employee winner was Brenda Wright (below) of Warren Anthony Estate Agents after being nominated by her colleagues.

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Tony King, director at Warren Anthony said: “Brenda can lift a room with a little dance, a sing song or just a smile.

"She is an amazing asset to our company and local community therefore I could not think of a more worthy winner of the Excellent Employee Award.”

Colombia Press chef Elle Campbell was commended in the Excellent Employee category, as was Karolina Cisslo from The End and Andra Munteanu from Sugarman Health & Wellbeing.

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Here is a full list of winners:

Arts & Entertainment: Watford Palace Theatre

Bank: Metro Bank

Bar: Walkabout

Coffee Shop & Takeaways: Krispy Kreme

Community & Voluntary: Peace Hospice Care

Consumer Services: Flight Centre

Estate Agent: Warren Anthony Estate Agents

Fitness & Leisure: Fitness4Less

Nightclub: Pryzm

Professional Services: Sugarman Health & Wellbeing

Pub: The Moon Under Water

Restaurant: Barracuda

Retailer (Independent): Fancy Dress Castle & Castle Balloons

Retailer (National - large): John Lewis & Partners

Retailer (National - small): Lakeland

Excellent Employee: Brenda Wright, Warren Anthony Estate Agents

Security/door staff: The Colombia Press

The awards were sponsored by headline sponsors Murrill Construction, as well as Aspect Property Group, We Are Acuity, Berkeley Homes and Project Centre. Media partners for the awards are Watford Observer and local radio station Vibe 107.6FM.