Town businesses offering excellent customer service are to be celebrated with a brand new awards scheme.

The Watford BID Service Excellence Awards, sponsored by the Observer, will praise those who go above and beyond for their customers.

Those who are nominated will be invited to attend an awards ceremony held at Watford Colosseum on Tuesday, February 28 2017.

There will be 16 awards categories covering the main business sectors operating in the town centre area.

An award for an individual, employed within a town centre business, who continually demonstrates excellent customer service has also been included.

Jonathan Field, chair of Watford BID, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity to bring together and celebrate the businesses in our town centre that exemplify excellence in their approach to customer or client service.

"We are proud of those that do it well and they deserve public recognition.”

A judging panel will select up to five finalists for every category, based upon the strength of the information provided in the entry form.

Winners will be selected by public vote, with an additional assessment by Watford Borough Council’s licensing department for those businesses entering the Best Bar, Pub, Club and Live Music categories.

Mr Field added: “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a retailer, accountant, coffee shop or dentist, the way you treat your customers or clients determines whether they will use your services again.

"Rising customer expectations, and the growing trend to share negative experiences online, is putting pressure on companies to raise their game and those that do it well reap the benefits.

“Watford BID wants to encourage a positive image of Watford and the town centre as a destination. By recognising and promoting the importance of good customer service we aim to grow a brand loyalty to Watford town centre.”

The awards are open to levy paying businesses in the Watford Business Improvement District area.

The closing date for returning their entries is November 11.

To enter, visit: www.watfordbid.co.uk.