Just the business for town’s needs

Pictured are Nola Baldwin from Nola's Tea Rooms; Trevor and Graeme Simpson from Simpsons of Oldham Jewellers; Katie Bennett from Sugar Flair Cakes; Karen Crosby from Greenhalgh's; Mary Comer from Mary's Bedding and Towels; Paul Gill from Redman's Pioneer Quality Foods

SUPERB customer service has been recognised at the Oldham Town Centre Business Awards.

Organised by Oldham Council and the Town Centre Partnership, the awards recognise and celebrate how businesses are looking after residents, shoppers and visitors.

This year a new format has seen entrants being objectively assessed by a mystery shopper.

More than 60 businesses agreed to a visit from an independent customer service expert, who assessed them on venue appearance, products and pricing, initial contact, service, sales and staff image.

The mystery shopper awarded 24 businesses a score of 90 per cent or more – six of which gained a perfect 100 per cent.

The winners, which received either the highest score or full marks were:

Independent Business of the Year:

· Nola’s Tea Rooms, Upper 49-51 George Street

· Simpsons of Oldham Jewellers, 37 High Street

· Sugar Flair Cakes, 67 George Street

National Business of the Year:

· Greenhalgh’s, 16 Curzon Street

Market Trader of the Year:

· Face and Fragrance, Units 218 and 219 in the Market Hall

· Mary’s Bedding and Towels, Units 7 and 8 in the Market Hall

· Redman’s Pioneer Quality Foods, 152, 154 & 156 in the Market Hall

Oldham Council leader Councillor Jean Stretton said: “The Oldham Town Centre Business Awards celebrate the very best of what our traders have to offer. I’m pleased that so many businesses are working with us to improve the whole experience for their customers. Thanks to the new Odeon cinema in the Old Town Hall and the opening of new businesses, such as those in the Independent Quarter, our town centre is changing for the better.

“Congratulations to this year’s winners – they should all be very proud of their achievements.”

Katie Booth, co-owner of Sugar Flair Cakes, said: “It’s fantastic that our family-run business has been acknowledged in this way.

“We pride ourselves on delivering top-quality celebration cakes and service that exceeds customers’ expectations, so we’re delighted this has been recognised.” All the businesses that entered were given their individual results as well as feedback on their performance.