Annual Customer Service Awards Shine Light
On City’s Customer Service Stars
Businesses from across Chester joined together for the Chester BID Awards last night
Businesses that excelled in customer service were awarded at a ceremony at Chester Cathedral last night.
The Chester BID Customer Services Awards recognise Chester’s shops, restaurants, bars, independent retailers and service providers that go that extra mile for customers.
Nominated online by the general public, the awards cover 13 categories including Best Independent Business, Best Small Business and Best Restaurant. The retailers and outlets that received the most votes from the public were then visited by a mystery shopper to determine the overall winner.
Among the winners on the night was Chester Boutique which picked up ‘Best Independent Retailer’ and Wilko walked away with the award for ‘Best Large Retailer’ (more than 20 staff in-store).
‘Best Health and Beauty Services’ went to Lush, whilst Deva Tours and Travel took home the award for ‘Best Travel and Leisure’ and NatWest won the accolade for the ‘Best Professional Services’ in the city.
Businesses of all sizes were rewarded for their dedication to customer service with Hotel Chocolat winning ‘Best Small Retailer’ (less than 20 staff in-store), White Company winning ‘Best Small Fashion Retailer’ (less than 20 staff instore) and the ‘Best of Grosvenor Shopping Centre’ award going to independent jewellers, Chique.
Newcomers to the thriving cafe culture scene in Chester, The Rainbow Rooms won ‘Best Coffee Shop and Cafe’, whilst Bar Lounge, who celebrated their 20th-anniversary last year, took home the award for ‘Best Pub, Bar and Club’ and Chez Jules were named ‘Best Restaurant’. Chatwins won in the ‘Best Food On The Go’ category.
The awards were hosted just days after the former Chester Market was closed for good before the move to their new premises on Northgate Street, however, Death By Taco’s (who have now taken up permanent residence on Watergate Street) were given the award for ‘Best Chester Market Trader’.
Carl Critchlow, Chief Executive of Chester BID said: “Congratulations to all our nominees and winners tonight. We are delighted to be able to host these awards and recognise the handwork and dedication of the businesses in the city who really make this city a special and unique place to visit, shop and dine.
“Customer service is what makes our high streets thrive and what draws people back into Chester time and time again. We are so proud to read how warm and friendly our businesses make Chester for both Cestrians and tourists alike. Well done to all!”
The full list of winners can be found below:
Best Chester Market Trader
Winner: Death by Tacos
Nominees: Geoff Hughes Butcher, That Beer Place
Best Food On The Go
Winner: Chatwins
Nominees: Jaunty Goat Bakeaway, Planet Doughnut
Best of Grosvenor Shopping Centre
Winner: Chique
Nominees: Cheshire The Jewellers, Jewellery by Design, Whitewall Galleries, LK Bennett, Castle Fine Arts, Chisholm Hunter, Western Computers, Boodles and Dunthorne, Gieves and Hawkes, Jigsaw, Styled Boutique, Sports Direct, TK Maxx, Kayes Jewellers, Sostrene Grene, Warren James, Schuh, About You Boutique, Card Factory.
Best Health and Beauty Services
Winner: Lush
Nominees: Boots Foregate Street, The Scented Garden Retreat.
Best Independent Retailer
Winner: Chester Boutique
Nominees: Chester Model Centre, Watergate Street Gallery.
Best Large Retailer
Winner: Wilko
Nominees: Primary, Marks and Spencer.
Best Small Fashion Retailer
Winner: White Company
Nominees: Dr Martens, Fat Face.
Best Professional Services
Winner: NatWest
Nominees: Halifax, HSBC.
Best Small Retailer
Winner: Hotel Chocolat
Nominees: Lush, Waterstones.
Best Travel and Leisure
Winner: Deva Travel
Nominees: Storyhouse, King Kabs.
Best Coffee Shop and Cafe
Winner: Rainbow Tea Rooms
Nominees: Jaunty Goat, Marmalade.
Best Restaurant
Winner: Chez Jules
Nominees: Ristorante Sergio, The Coach House.
Best Pub, Bar and Club
Winner: Bar Lounge
Nominees: The Coach House, That Beer Place.
