Aberdeenshire’s town centres are set to take centre stage with the launch of an exciting new initiative celebrating outstanding customer service, with local businesses being invited to play a leading role by sponsoring the inaugural Heart of the High Street Awards.
Launched last month by Aberdeenshire Council, the Heart of the High Street campaign will shine a spotlight on the people, teams and businesses who go above and beyond to create exceptional customer experiences.
Now, businesses and organisations across the region are being encouraged to get involved by sponsoring one of eight vibrant award categories, each reflecting the diversity and dynamism of Aberdeenshire’s high streets:
- Making Every Customer Count: Retail Award
- The Extra Mile: Professional Services Award
- The Warm Welcome: Hospitality Award
- The Experience Makers: Leisure & Tourism Award
- Supporting Health & Happiness: Wellbeing Award
- Outstanding Individual
- New Business of the Year
Sponsoring a category offers businesses a powerful opportunity to align their brand with excellence, community pride and local success. Sponsors will be at the heart of a positive, high-profile campaign which celebrates the best of Aberdeenshire while helping to strengthen connections across the local business community.
Businesses interested in sponsoring an award category and supporting this landmark initiative can find out more by emailing heartofthehighstreet@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
Some 200 award nominations have been received so far, with customers and businesses invited to put forward their favourites before June 7 at engage.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/heart-of-the-high-street
Eligible businesses must be based within a town centre, and winners will be decided through a combination of public voting and an independent judging panel made up of representatives from the business community and Aberdeenshire Council.
The awards form part of a wider campaign aimed at boosting customer service standards and supporting businesses to grow. To achieve this, training is being offered in partnership with Business Gateway. This will support local businesses in delivering outstanding customer service. The free, online session provides practical tips, shared learning, and inspiration to help businesses strengthen service standards, build customer loyalty, and celebrate our town centres. Running on 16th and 26th June, you can book your place here https://bit.ly/HeartoftheHighStreet
This will be supported by the creation of a network of business ambassadors, drawn from winning businesses, who will help showcase good practice through case studies and peer learning.
Chair of the council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, Cllr Alan Turner, highlighted the importance of recognising excellence, saying: “Good customer service is one of the key factors which can set the in-person retail or service experience apart from that undertaken online, helping to drive local footfall and spend in town centres.
“Alongside the economic benefits, in-person visits to Aberdeenshire town centres also offer an opportunity for social interactions. These are vital because they foster community belonging and improve wellbeing. I would encourage our communities and businesses to get nominating now to ensure that our good service is duly recognised.”
For more information, email heartofthehighstreet@aberdeenshire.gov.uk