Rochdale Town Centre Awards 2008 sponsored by RMBC

Best National Retailer Award Sponsor in 2007 Lorenzo O'Reilly of Rochdale Exchange Shopping Centre with Debbie O'Brien of Town Centre Management

Following the success of last year’s Rochdale Town Centre Awards, they’re back for 2008, sponsored by RMBC.

Last year, Rochdale Town Centre Management launched the ‘Rochdale Town Centre Awards’ to acknowledge Town Centre businesses and their employees for the friendly, personal service that they provide and to restore the pride and faith of the community in our town.

Over 110 businesses in the Town Centre were involved in the awards last year. The awards were based on ‘mystery customer’ visits that took place earlier in the year, in many different Town Centre businesses including shops, bars, restaurants, banks, and more.

Every business was visited by a market researcher who commented on their experience with reference to seven key areas including staff approach, customer service, staff image and their overall satisfaction, to provide a store rating for that business. The results of these reports were then compared in order to determine the winners and runners up of each award. The awards were presented at a lavish ceremony at China City in Rochdale and was a fantastic event for all involved.

More than 125 businesses are involved this year and the mystery shoppers are visiting them between now and September.

In addition to the mystery shopping program, Town Centre Management (in partnership with GMP, RMBC Licensing, RMBC Community Safety and the Fire Service) will also be running the Best Bar None scheme to judge the bars, clubs and pubs in the town centre. This scheme aims to reward licensees who provide good management, a safe and enjoyable environment for customers, discourage binge drinking and prevent alcohol-related crime. It encourages licensees to act responsibly and take pride in their premises and surroundings and, in doing so, put something back into the Town and their local community. Many of the town centre businesses have volunteered to be part of the scheme in order gain accreditation.

For each award, the businesses are in with a chance of winning £500 and the categories are as follows:

• Best Business Overall
• Best National Retailer
• Best Independent Retailer
• Best Service Provider
• Best Food Retailer
• Best Customer Service
• BBN Best Pub
• BBN Best Bar/Club
• BBN Best Overall
• Employee of the Year
• Rochdale Ambassador
• Best Long Serving Business

Council leader, Alan Taylor said: "The council is proud to be sponsoring the town centre awards. We have some fantastic businesses in the town centre and it's right that their excellent service is recognised."

Keep your out for more details coming very soon, including your chance to nominate and vote for a town centre staff member for the ‘Employee of the Year Award 2008’.

For more information please contact Town Centre Management.

Email: suzy@rochdaletcm.co.uk

Tel: 01706 926676