Chester BID Celebrates 10 Years of Championing Outstanding Customer Service
Chester BID marked a milestone year as it celebrated the 10th annual Chester Customer Service Awards at The Guild, Chester, this week (Thursday 23rd October 2025).
Presented by local hospitality expert Rick Warrier, the glittering event brought together businesses from across the city centre to honour the outstanding levels of customer service that make Chester such a welcoming and successful destination for visitors and residents alike.
Now in its tenth year, the awards remain one of Chester’s most celebrated events, recognising excellence across 16 categories - from restaurants and retailers to professional services and visitor attractions.
In August, the public was invited to vote for their favourite businesses, with almost 30,000 votes cast. The top three in each category were then independently mystery shopped throughout September, before the winners were announced live at the ceremony.
These awards are all about the people who make Chester specialIt’s the public who decides, so that’s what makes them so meaningful. Every shortlisted business has earned the trust and appreciation of its customers, something that can’t be faked or fabricated. Reaching our 10th year shows how much the city values brilliant service, and it’s a real testament to the passion of Chester’s business community.
This year’s awards introduced two new categories to mark the 10th anniversary. The Best Newcomer Award celebrated the wave of new businesses that have opened since October 2024, showcasing Chester’s thriving retail and hospitality scene. From independent cafés and creative boutiques to national names and stylish new bars, the list of entrants demonstrates the continued growth and confidence in the city centre.
Newcomers include Lucy & Yak, Rooftop Social Club, Brook Taverner, Canteen, Flat Earth, Louison, Metro Bank, Plana Terra, Salt House Tapas, and Utility, among others.
The success of this category highlights the ongoing strength and appeal of Chester’s high streetSeeing so many new businesses open and thrive is something we’re incredibly proud of. It shows that Chester continues to be a fantastic place to do business.
To honour the most consistent customer service champions, Chester BID also introduced a Legend Category, recognising businesses that have won three or more Chester BID Customer Service Awards over the past decade. This year’s legendary nominees included Lush, The White Company, Jaunty Goat, The Coach House, Marmalade, BarLounge, Deva Travel, and Marks & Spencer, with BarLounge taking the accolade on the night.
These businesses have become synonymous with exceptional service and have played a major role in shaping Chester’s welcoming and vibrant retail and hospitality landscape – true ambassadors of the city.
It was a fantastic night and so good to see the business community and our members mingling and sharing the celebratory cheer!As Chester looks ahead to another decade of excellence, the awards remain a cornerstone of the city’s commitment to high standards, strong community spirit, and exceptional customer care. We look forward to a fantastic 2026!
For the full list check out our Customer Service Awards page below
View Winners
