BUSINESSES providing some of the best customer service in the district have been shortlisted for the Service Excellence Award as part of this year’s Winchester Business Excellence Awards.

Sponsoring the award is radio station The Breeze who have announced the four finalists for this category.

The Old Vine, Holiday Inn, Nibble and Woodhams Farm Day Nursery were nominated from a range of entries from competing companies.

Stewart Dennis, sales manager, said: “Customer service is such a vital component of business. I am really looking forward to visiting the businesses shortlisted in this category to see the strategies they are using to maintain these standards.”

The Old Vine, a hotel and restaurant in The Square in Winchester, has been applauded by customers and tourists alike. It is described as being 100 per cent committed to attaining the highest standards of quality and service after turning a once spit-and-sawdust pub into a welcoming, dignified establishment that last year saw it receive public recognition at The Beautiful South Awards.

Likewise, the Holiday Inn at Morn Hill, which hosted this year’s Awards launch, has been praised for its customer service, having previously been awarded for its efforts towards sustainability and its continued work with various charities. Head chef Robert Quehan has helped the Morn Hill Brasserie gain an excellent reputation in the culinary market and, due to its open spaces and unique location, it offers space for a range of events from weddings to business presentations and charity get-togethers.

Nibble, which provides homemade food to commuters and businesses within Winchester city centre, was developed from a sandwich delivery service into a popular cafe and restaurant. Set up by Belinda Oaten and Amanda Myers just over a year ago, the company quickly became well established developing a solid client base to extend the delivery catering services to a restaurant which operates on Friday and Saturday evenings. 

Woodhams Farm Day Nursery, the only non-eatery finalist in this category, provides young children with a well-respected learning environment to prepare them for primary school, described as giving “exceptional service for local parents and children”. Located in Kings Worthy the pre-school offers a warm, safe and nurturing environment encouraging young children to thrive before heading off to their “big school”.