OUTSTANDING customer service will be recognised for the first time at this year's Dorset Business Awards.

The award is sponsored by Beales Gourmet at The Italian Villa and Luxurycare, both firms for which keeping customers happy is of paramount importance.

It is one of five new categories in the awards, organised by Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and it aims to reward firms which provide the very highest levels of customer service.

Tony Beales, managing director of Beales Gourmet at The Italian Villa, said: "We are thrilled to be involved as sponsors at this year’s Dorset Business Awards, having been finalists in two categories ourselves last year.

"We chose to co-sponsor the Outstanding Customer Service Award as this is such a major cornerstone of our own business.

"We cater for more than 350 wedding and events every year, and our team are passionate about delivering exceptional levels of customer service.

"We’ll be looking for businesses who share this passion as we know that there are many Dorset companies that exude customer focus, so we’re looking for the cream of that crop."

Luxurycare managing director Kevin Gunputh said: "At Luxurycare customer service underpins the culture of our service in our care homes.

"We chose to become a sponsor of this category as we felt it would be a platform for us to celebrate customer service in local Dorset businesses.

"We also felt that it was the most relevant category as we, as an organisation, place so much emphasis on treating our customers with dignity and respect, such that they receive the service they and we expect."

Entrants should:

• Provide a brief overview of the nature of their trade and customer base

• Summarise the customer care policy, including any quality standards the business has achieved

• Describe initiatives put in place to integrate customers into all aspects of the business, including staff training, communication and management

• Highlight how the business monitors the quality of customer care provided and reacts to feedback

• Demonstrate how the business has made improvements in customer satisfaction

• Explain how the business is planning to maintain and improve performance in the future

In association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo, the awards are backed by the south’s leading radio station Wave 105 and are free to enter.

Entrants can apply via dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk prior to the closing date on Sunday, September 3.

Entry is open to all companies which are based in Dorset with a BH or DT postcode.

Membership of DCCI is not required.

For further information about the awards, sponsorship opportunities or to reserve tickets for the gala dinner at the Bournemouth International Centre on Thursday, November 23, contact Stuart Dixon on 01202 714810.