Awards Presented To Town Centre Businesses Who Go The Extra Mile

Published on: 10 Oct, 2014
Updated on: 13 Oct, 2014

Town centre businesses, local dignitaries and representatives of Guildford enjoyed a celebratory evening at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre as Experience Guildford crowned the town’s customer service stars.

Stagg from Radisson Blu Edwardian receiving their award at the Experience Guildford

Staff from Radisson Blu Edwardian receiving their award at the Experience Guildford Customer Service Awards.

Now in its second year, the Experience Guildford Customer Service Awards have again proved to be a hit among the people of the town, with more and more residents and visitors taking time out to vote for the businesses that they feel go the extra mile when it comes to delivering exceptional customer service.

With more than 2,300 votes received this year, the awards strike a chord with individuals who wish to applaud the service they receive in Guildford and demonstrate the difference that it can make to the success of a town centre.

Guildford Performance Preparation Academy.

The awards event took place on Wednesday evening (October 8) and included a stunning performance from Guildford’s Performance Preparation Academy.

Nominations for each of the award categories were announced at the beginning of September and since then each shortlisted business has been visited by an independent judge and secret shopper to be finally crowned king of their category.

With categories spanning food and drink, lifestyle and leisure and retail, and businesses shortlisted from both national and independent sectors, the quality and variety of entrants reflects the broad range of businesses that can be found in Guildford, something that continues to draw shoppers and visitors to the town centre each day.

Experience Guildford Customer Service Award Winners for 2014.

Best Customer Service – Retail (national): Virgin Money

Best Customer Service – Retail (independent): The Bear Garden

Best Customer Service – Food & Drink (national): Côte

Best Customer Service – Food & Drink (independent): Olivo

Best Customer Service – Lifestyle & Leisure (national): Radisson Blu Edwardian

Best Customer Service – Lifestyle & Leisure (independent): G Live

Amanda Masters, general manager at Experience Guildford said: “We’ve been bowled over by the response to this year’s awards, both by the number of people who have chosen to vote and also by the support and commitment we have seen from the town’s businesses.

“Guildford is well known for is eclectic mix of shops, cafes, bars and businesses and it’s great to see that we are also becoming well known for delivering great customer service.

“We welcome back reigning champions of the 2013 awards and it’s also great to see new names gaining recognition. The competition was much tougher this year and some of the scores were extremely close, which goes to show that every public vote counts.

“The awards will definitely be returning next year with the introduction of more categories and we look forward to the opportunity of again showcasing the exemplary offering of our town centre.”

The Olivo team.

Alongside those businesses recognised for offering the best customer service, Experience Guildford also announced the winner of its floral window dressing competition that was held over the summer months to support the town’s successful, silver awarded BID in Bloom campaign.

Party Shoppers won the overall competition for its imaginative and locally inspired Alice in Wonderland theme, while Simon Pure was also commended for its artistic presentation.

For more information on the Guildford Customer Service Awards and the work of Experience Guildford visit www.experienceguildford.com