Experience Guildford Announces 2017 Customer Service Award Winners

Published on: 19 Oct, 2017
Updated on: 20 Oct, 2017

By Louisa Magnussen

This year’s Customer Service Awards have been announced and Guildford’s people have spoken.

The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre hosted a celebratory evening on October 2 as Experience Guildford crowned the town’s customer service stars. Now in its fifth year, the Experience Guildford Customer Service Awards gained votes from nearly 5,000 residents and visitors to the town.

The Bear Garden receives its award.

Along with the announcement of the winners, the awards also featured a dramatic performance by aerial artist Gemma Rix and comedian Danny Buckler.

After the nominations for each category were announced in September, the shortlisted businesses were visited by a secret shopper before the final victors were chosen.

They are:

Best Customer Service – Pubs, Bars and Clubs – The Britannia

Best Customer Service – Coffee Shops – Coffee Culture

Best Customer Service – Restaurants National – The March Hare

Best Customer Service – Restaurants Independent – Thai Terrace

Best Customer Service – Food on the Go – Five Guys

Best Customer Service – Health – Red Hot Yoga

Best Customer Service – Beauty – Champneys

Best Customer Service – Leisure and Lifestyle – Yvonne Arnaud

Best Customer Service – Service Provider – The Street Angels

Best Customer Service – Professional Services – Halifax

Best Customer Service – Retail National (small – 20 staff or less) – Pure Collection

Best Customer Service – Retail National (large – 20 staff and over) – Waitrose

Best Customer Service – Retail Independent – The Bear Garden

Coffee Culture receiving its award.

William Gill, co-owner of Coffee Culture, winner of the Coffee Shops category said: “It’s unbelievable that we’ve won four times now, it really does mean a lot to us. We try hard to go the extra mile for every customer that comes into the shop and these awards are a statement of just how much our staff care.

“The Customer Service Awards, along with other initiatives introduced by Experience Guildford have helped galvanise all the retailers in Guildford, big and small, independent or national, to make the great town that Guildford is today.”

Amanda Masters, general manager at Experience Guildford said: “We are delighted to see the Experience Guildford Customer Service Awards so well supported by the businesses of the town and by Guildford’s visitors and residents.

“Thanks to all the businesses who got behind the awards again this year and to everyone who took the time to vote. We should all be proud of the achievements of our town.”