TOURISM AND CRAFTS EXCEL FOR FIFTH TIME

Tourism and crafts in Ards have excelled yet again, scooping a prestigious Charter Mark award for the fifth consecutive time.

Ards Crafts and Ards Tourist Information Centre, in Regent Street, Newtownards, successfully passed another rigorous assessment to retain the award which recognises excellence in customer service and a commitment to on-going improvement.

Commenting on the award, Councillor Robin Drysdale, Mayor of Ards, said, "It is good to see that we have services that are continually gaining, and being rewarded for, very high standards. We all benefit from these services, provided for both visitors and local people."

Describing the success, Councillor Angus Carson, Ards Borough Council's Development Committee Chair, said, "The Charter Mark shows that Ards Crafts and Ards Tourist Information Centre continue focus on their customers' needs and to ensure that customers' expectations are met. I'm delighted that once again the staff have shown that they not only have the systems in place to meet these expectations, but also that they deliver a first class service on a daily basis and continue to seek ways to improve what they do."

Ards Crafts and Ards Tourist Information Centre first achieved Charter Mark status in 2000.