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An employee from one of Preston’s biggest shopping centres has been awarded national excellence.
Francesca Sergeant, customer service representative at St George’s Shopping Centre, has received the ACE Star award in Britain’s leading award programme for customer service in the retail property industry.
Having been selected from hundreds of shopping centre staff shortlisted from across the UK, she was also the only winner from the North West.
The 25 year-old from Higher Walton, who was praised for her high standards of service after achieving 100 per cent in a secret shopper exercise by the British Council of Shopping Centres, was presented with official certification.
Judges visited St George’s on numerous occasions, requesting help from Francesca on locating certain items. Francesca was commended on her ‘immediate helpful assistance and ‘smart presentation’ which made the mystery shopper ‘feel valued.’
Francesca, who has worked in retail and leisure from the age of 17 said: “It’s wonderful to be recognised on a national level for this element of my role.
“When I visit leisure and retail venues as a customer, I want to have an enjoyable experience and helping people with their queries in an approachable manner is extremely important.”
General Manager at St George’s Shopping Centre, Andrew Stringer commented: “Francesca is a valued member of the team and thoroughly deserves to be recognised for her excellent customer service skills.
“This is the second year in succession, one of our staff members has received the award, last year Security Supervisor Dave Jackson, was awarded the Ace Superstar accolade.
Jean Lane, Asset Manager at Aviva Investors added: “Excellent customer service is essential for meeting customers’ increasing expectations.
“Award-winning staff reinforces the added-value message to customers at St George’s and demonstrates how as a business, it is committed to setting high standards.”
