A series of awards designed to recognise great customer service in Monmouth is to be launched early next month.

Monmouth and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce's GEMMA (Going the Extra Mile in Monmouth Awards) scheme will be open to all businesses in town, not just chamber members.

Chamber chairman Brian Ramsey said: "It is absolutely vital that we recognise and reward excellent customer care, across the whole of the business sector.

"When customers are looked after properly, not only do they return but they also recommend the business to their friends, relatives and colleagues.

"In addition to recognising the good in the town, we are also in discussion with a training provider to ensure that accessible training is available to businesses.

"At present, it is difficult to find local training and those businesses that do wish to send their staff on retail skills and customer care training courses often have to travel to Newport or even further afield."

The GEMMA scheme will be split into five categories and will recognise excellent customer care provided by individuals working in: Independent Retailers, National Retailers, Hospitality Providers, Accommodation Providers and Service Providers.

The chamber is looking for sponsors for each of the five categories, as well as businesses that wish to participate in the GEMMA scheme.

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