See All The Winners Of The 2022 Experience Guildford Customer Service Awards

Published on: 8 Sep, 2022
Updated on: 10 Sep, 2022

Now in its eighth year and after a two-year break for the pandemic, the Experience Guildford Customer Service Awards were back and celebrated in the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre on Monday, September 5.

Nearly 2,000 residents and visitors to the town had voted for their favourite shop, pub or cafe in 13 award categories.

Lesley Cully, sales assistant at Lush, won the Shining Star Award. She was “absolutely thrilled” her manager had recognised her and put her forward for the award. From left, Lesley Cully and Amanda Masters, Experience Guildford’s CEO.

Nominations for the categories was announced in July and each shortlisted business had been visited by a secret shopper as a final decider for their award.

The awards celebration was hosted by Nick Wyschna of the Guildford Fringe Theatre Company, and attended by the Mayor of Guildford, Dennis Booth, and town centre businesses. Entertainment for the evening came from the Charley Farley Sunday Four and musical numbers from The Guildford Fringe Ensemble.

Marks & Spencer was the winner in the Retail Large category. Deputy store manager Sue Pope said: “We are absolutely over the moon that we’ve been voted for and have won this award.”

Andrew Colborne-Baber, owner of The Bear Garden that won its seventh award in the Retail Independent category, said: “It’s great to see the awards back after the pandemic, and to see everyone together celebrating Guildford. You’ve only got to see the reaction this evening and what they mean to people involved – it really does make a difference.”

Lesley Cully, sales assistant at Lush, won the 2022 Shining Star category after being nominated by her manager for her “outstanding contribution to the business”.

Lesley said: “It means everything to me to have won this award. I’ve been at Lush for a year now, and have loved every minute, plus I’ve also shown that I’m good with the public, and I love that. I’m absolutely thrilled that my manager has recognised that too, and put me forward for this award.”

The Bear Garden won the Retail Indie, its seventh award in the Retail Independent category.

The Winners of the 2022 Customer Service Award:

Pubs, Bars and Clubs – The Star.

Coffee Shops – Caffe Nero (House of Fraser).

Restaurants National – The March Hare.

Restaurants Independent – Olivo.

Food on the Go – Kallie’s Delis.

Health & Fitness – The Glasses Shop.

Hair & Beauty – John Carne Hairdressing.

Leisure and Lifestyle – Unplug + Play.

Service Providers – Guildford Town Centre Chaplaincy.

Professional Services – Cavender Estate Agents.

Retail National small – Loaf.

Retail National large – M&S.

Retail independent – The Bear Garden.

Amanda Masters, chief executive at Experience Guildford said: “What an incredible evening, and an incredible feeling to have the awards back up and running after a two-year break.

“Yet again we’ve been bowled over by the calibre of entrants, and by the fabulous response we’ve received from the public in terms of the number of votes received.

“Our businesses continue to put their customers first, and it is their combined efforts that help to make Guildford the great destination that it is, a place where customers can visit assured of getting great customer service, and our local economy can prosper as a result of it.”