RISE WINS THREE TROPHIES AT AWARDS NIGHT

THE hard work, loyalty, dedication and customer service provided by retailers and staff in Cheltenham’s Beechwood shopping centre was recognised and rewarded in its first Retail Awards at The Queen’s Hotel.

The awards, held in association with Westgrove, the centre’s security and cleaning contractors, were the brainchild of centre manager Owen Acland, who said he wanted to show appreciation for all the efforts made by the shops in helping Beechwood have such a successful year during a difficult economic climate.

The evening was acclaimed a resounding success, summed up by Candles and More manager Sarah Duffton who gave it ‘a big thumbs up which we should do again next year.'

"I think everyone really enjoyed getting together and it gave us all a chance to meet staff from other shops which we don’t get time to do when we are all so busy at work,” she said.

Mr Acland, who took over as centre manager in January, welcomed nearly 100 Beechwood tenants, staff and guests to the presentation evening, which included a buffet, drinks and disco entertainment and an opportunity for staff to mix and mingle with colleagues and neighbouring retailers. Ticket sales helped to raise over £400  in aid of Cheltenham’s National Star College, the centre’s chosen charity for 2010.

Engraved trophies were presented to seven category winners with Rise Records picking up three of the accolades.

The music, film and book store was voted the Best Independent Retailer and for the store making the Best Contribution to Marketing/Promotions together with the night’s main trophy of Beechwood’s Retailer of the Year.

Store manager Ben Hughes, pictured above with three of his staff and Owen Acland, said he was ‘chuffed to bits’ and said he was proud to receive the award which was recognition of the hard work put in by all the staff.

The centre’s Favourite Store, voted for by the public, went to Debenhams with the Best Window Presentations, voted by the tenants and public, going to The Jewellery Stop.

The award for Best Customer Service, also voted by the public, went to the Disney Store.

An award voted for by tenants for Beechwood’s top employee for politeness and helpfulness went to Mark Driscoll, supervisor of the centre’s security team.

A special award was also made on the night by contractors Westgrove who voted the Beechwood security team and cleaners as the best team within their company for 2010.

Shops which achieved more than 80 percent in a survey by four Mystery Shoppers who visited the centre in September, were awarded certificates.

They were: Destination Skin (95 percent); Jewellery Stop (92.5 percent); Western Computer (87.5 percent); Departures (87.5 percent); Candles & More; Silver Mine; Vision Express ( all 82.5%).

Mr Acland said he was delighted with the tenants' response to the awards and was pleased so many turned up on the night. "Everyone enjoyed it and we have received lots of requests to do it again next year. I think it’s given everyone a boost during a difficult economic year and it’s given them an incentive to come back and win and award next year.”