City aims for World Host status
Academy ONE, Liverpool ONE's training arm, is working with businesses in suburban high streets in the south of the city to try and gain World Host Destination accreditation.
The area, named 1578 after the collection of postcodes – L15, L7, L8 – covers Lodge Lane, Earle Road, Lawrence Road and Smithdown Road.
The World Host Destination programme was developed in Canada and recognises areas with excellent standards of customer service. To qualify, 25% of businesses have to have 50% of front-line staff trained in customer service.
Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool City Council Cabinet member for skills, enterprise and employment, said: "The 1578 area has some of the city's main shopping venues and is one which is on the up and up but we want to build on the improvements which are taking place.
"We want to make the 1578 area a first-class shopping and eating destination.
"And by becoming the first world host destination in the city it will attract more visitors to the shops and restaurants. It will build pride in the community as well as local businesses and help us to promote the area.
"There are very practical advantages for businesses. Receiving a warm welcome and great customer service will encourage customers to return and so help firms to grow."
Academy ONE is part of the National Skills Academy for Retail and is the specialist training academy for the sector in Liverpool city region.
Hmmm. Not so sure about this. They might want to look at sorting out the environment before the staff though. Paris has the rudest waiters in the world but people flock there because it’s beautiful. Make the area look nicer and people will descend. Maybe then you can look at improving customer service.
By MrD