New-Alexandra Gifts - Awards

 There are independent businesses the length and breadth of Britain who put their customers first. They battle against the out of town shopping centres, the major multinational brands and the challenges facing the high street by making themselves stand out. Their stores are a destination, a must-visit because their level of service elevates them from the competition. Their passion for ensuring they make their customers lives a bit easier, that they give them cheer and add some colour sees them succeed where many others fail. They deserve our support as well as our custom.

In 2011, the 'Customer at the Heart Awards' were established to celebrate this commitment to excellence in service. 

Below is an Extract from: www.whoiskatehardcastle.co.uk/2013/08/21/the-only-way-id-be-skint-in-scunthorpe-is-enjoying-the-retail-too-much/

Why was Scunthorpe the punch line in a destination joke? What was it doing so wrong? or was it just Nanâ€ââ€Å¾¢s old adage; had the book been firmly judged by the cover? I had visited Scunthorpe as a child and didnâ€ââ€Å¾¢t have lasting memories of the town either way, but the comment on social media, and throughout my network alike, led to a clear understanding that Scunthorpe not only has bad press but can seemingly put off potential visitors from afar. Could the truth really be that bad?So squeezed in between seminars in Las Vegas and client work in Dubai I headed with the Insight with Passion team to a number of businesses, some recommended through social media and some just starting out. On approach Scunthorpe has nothing to be ashamed of and has plenty of greenery. I can recall towns and cities (worldwide) with more unpleasant journeys in.

The first port of call for the day was Ashby, where I met an individual that could put a lot of six figure earning retail gurus to shame, for his lasting dedication and drive to open up his own retail store in a small high street that had been bustling throughout his childhood but declined in recent years.

Andy doesn't have an innovative or ground breaking concept; he just wants to make sure his business thrives with great customer service for young and old, providing great gifts. Nothing so Earth Shattering there, so why the high praise? I was there to open the 2nd store, in a business that only started last year.

Andy ran his store during the day and after closing worked in a bar every night during the initial months his business was getting up and running. Let me assure everyone reading this; there are much easier ways to make money than retail! Everyone working on the High Street today was talking about the positive future of the High Street. Nearly 70 million people live on this postage stamp of an island and this is something I recommend a lot more people start believing in and working towards making this happen