THE great and good of Ashbourne’s shops and businesses have been handed awards at a ceremony marking the end of an annual campaign to search for the best customer service in Ashbourne.
The Ashbourne Partnership once again appealed to the shoppers and service users of the town to vote for the business that they thought delivered the best customer service.
Ashbourne Accountancy Firm Smith Cooper leapt on board this year and supported the scheme, which this year attracted more than 1,700 votes spread across the six individual categories.
Ashbourne Partnership co-ordinator Sarah Wolfe gathered in the response forms which had been dotted around the town and counted up the votes ahead of an award ceremony on Thursday in the Ex Servicemen’s Club.
In total 83 outlets received nominations, which experts say reflects the diversity and quality of products and services offered in the Ashbourne area.
Introducing the awards and the two people chosen to present the awards - Smith Cooper’s Shamim Akhtar and Sir Richard FitzHerbert from the Tissington Estate, partnership chairman Jeffrey Phillips congratulated all the businesses that were involved.
He said: “This is a tribute to all the retailers and service providers who help to make this town a popular destination and an enjoyable experience.” Winners from previous years, including Mind, Natural Choice and Best Wishes, all received awards on the night - which were split into first, second and third places, but there were some new faces picked out by voters and winners left with a trophy and a certificate
The best shops and businesses in Ashbourne for customer service in 2012 as voted by their customers.
Best Window — awarded to the outlet that continually provides a window display to entice and encourage the shopper to stop and look
1st SACS
2nd Mind
3rd Past to Present
Best Eating Experience — awarded to an outlet that exceeds customer service expectations in terms of level of service, ambience and quality of food.
1st Bramhalls Deli & Cafe
2nd St John Street Gallery & Cafe
3rd The Flower Cafe
Service with a Smile — awarded to those who go above and beyond their defined job role demonstrating an aptitude and commitment to customer service.
1st Ashbourne Coffee Shop
2nd Best Wishes
3rd Lunar Lift Off
Best Professional — a new category to recognizes those who provide those vital services to both businesses and local residents and are the hidden heroes of our high streets.
1st Post Office
2nd Winfield, Rose & Woods Dentist
3rd John F Fell Opticians
Best Independent—awarded to an outlet who demonstrates an individual, innovative and exemplary customer service experience. These businesses are usually greatly loved and supported by local shoppers and often provide a town with a special element of quality and uniqueness.
1st MT Hulme Fishmongers
2nd Natural Choice
3rd Sticky Fingers
Best Multinational — awarded to a multiple outlet that demonstrates an exemplary customer service experience in their store.
Typically these businesses are well known and represented across the UK.
1st Waitrose
2nd M&S Simply Food
3rd Costa Coffee
