Service EKcellence Awards 2011

An incredible 95,000 votes were cast in August – more than double the number in 2010 – as the public chose their favourite retail, leisure and catering stars in the hard fought categories.

The winners were announced at a glittering ceremony in the shopping centre on Sunday 2nd October.

Congratulations to all the winners!

Best Fashion Retailer

Winner - Zara

“The whole team are over the moon with the award win,” said Julie Fisher, Manager.  “Our clothing lines reflect the personality of those who choose to wear our brand. Everything we sell is: elegant, on trend, timeless and high quality. All our sales team have an eye for detail that we’re very proud of this because it ensures customers leave confident in their purchases.”

Best Fast Food Outlet

Winner - Greggs

“Greggs Plaza is honoured to have won the award in the Best Fast Food category,” said Suzanne Ferguson, Shop Manager. “I’m extremely lucky to be able to work with such a fantastic team every day.  This is a testament to all their hard work in ensuring that the 5400 customers who come into Greggs Plaza every week are given the best service possible.”

Best Independent Retailer

Winner - Retro

“We pride ourselves on offering the best and latest designer men’s, ladies and kids fashion at affordable prices. Gillian and Marie can identify a customer’s style the minute they walk in the store and are able to help pick out clothes for them that will suit their personality,” said Mudaser Ahmed, Owner. “Winning this award highlights how hard all our staff work to ensure customers leave happy with their purchase.”   

Best Kiosk

Winner - Millies Cookies

“This is just fantastic and I would like to thank everyone who voted for us,” said Manager, Catriona Burnie.  “Our cookies have really taken off in EK and our famous giant birthday cookies are as popular as ever.    We now have a regular stream of customers coming in every day to pick up their favourite cookie and we always make sure they are greeted with a smile.”

Best Large Retailer

Winner - Boots Plaza

“We are thrilled to have won the award and can’t thank our customers enough for putting us forward in this category,” said Manager, Lorraine Martin. “We have many departments and products but our staff are all highly knowledgeable and are always ready to assist a customer regardless of their needs. We hope that the combination of our high quality products, promotions and customer service ensure that shopping with us is a pleasurable experience.”

Best Leisure & Entertainment Venue

Winner - ODEON East Kilbride

“Top class customer service is at the core of our business and everyone at the Odeon East Kilbride is over the moon with our award win,” said Manager Lorna McFadzean.   “A visit to the Odeon should be about more than just watching a film.  From the moment a guest walks in to the cinema to the moment they walk out again we push the boat out to ensure they have a great experience.

Best Medium Sized Retailer

Winner - Disney Store

“This is great news and we would just like to say a huge thank you to all our guests who keep coming back to the Disney Store year after year,” said Manager, Leanne Beattie.  “The team works really hard to make every guest visit the best 30 minute experience of their day and I am so pleased that all their efforts have been acknowledged in this way.”

Best Newcomer

Winner - Limetree

“Winning the award for the Best Newcomer is great news for us,” said Manager, Ashleigh McLellan.  “As a new independent business operating alongside many High St names we know how important customers are and we work hard at understanding what it is they want when they visit to make sure their visits are special.  The nomination is a great endorsement of what we’ve achieved so far in such a short time and it’s a great encouragement for the future.”

Best Professional Service and Gold Award

Winner - Bank of Scotland

“We are delighted to have won the Gold Award and we would like to thank everyone who voted for us,” said Branch Manager, Carol-Ann Maclachlan.   “Bank customers expect a professional, expert and friendly service and it is our aim to always provide this.  Our customers often come to us with financial worries and it is up to us to reassure them and help them to find the solution that is best suited to their needs.”

Best Restaurant or Coffee Shop

Winner - Starbucks

“We are thrilled to have won the award for Best Restaurant or Coffee Shop - it’s testimony to the commitment of our team and we would like to thank all of our customers,” said Manager, Allison Middleton.  “Starbucks may be one of the most recognisable shops in the country but that doesn’t make us complacent,” “If anything it motivates us to work even harder at always providing a high standard of service and creating a friendly atmosphere.”

Best Service Operator

Winner - East Kilbride Central Library

“To be recognised in such a prestigious and demanding award scheme is a brilliant way of saying ‘Thanks’ to our team of staff and to our customers.” Said John Barr, Manager of East Kilbride Central Library.  “We have worked hard over the past twelve months on behalf of South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture to create the best library experience ever for our customers and to make a real and innovative contribution to the life of East Kilbride Shopping Centre.”

Best Small Retailer

Winner - Perfume Shop Plaza 

“The team has worked hard to ensure our standards remain high and they are all delighted to have picked up the award for Best Small Retailer,” said Store Manager Caroline Milligan.   “Many of our customers know exactly what they are looking for when they visit us but we also have lots who need a bit of help and guidance to pick that perfect fragrance.  We greet everyone who comes into the shop with a smile and I think this is appreciated by our customers.”

Customers' Choice Award

Winner - Zucca

“This is fantastic news and a great boost to the team who all work hard to ensure our customers have a first class experience when they visit Zucca.”