A young man whose customers believe epitomises the term ‘service with a smile’ is among the leading nominees for our inaugural Customer Service Awards.

Dale Jeffrey, 19, works part time as a cashier at Boots, in The Chimes shopping centre, in High Street, Uxbridge, and says he is loving every minute of it.

He was aware of the Gazette and Chimes teaming up with The Uxbridge Initiative to search for the town’s hard working men and women but says he never expected to be put forward.

He said: “I’ve only been working here four months and to be honest this has all come as a real shock.

“I am so grateful that people I have served have felt appreciative enough to nominate me for an award; after all they have to make a special effort to do it.”

Mr Jeffrey, of Rockingham Road, Uxbridge, plans to read psychology and sociology at university.

But he wants to stay in his job for a while, and says it was not hard to decide where to apply for work.

He said: “I had a friend here who told me Boots was a place which valued its staff and welcomed feedback and would listen to us.

“I just try to be efficient and friendly to the customers when I am at work and I really love it when I am able to make someone smile.

“I know modern life is getting more stressful all the time for people with busy, full-time jobs, and so they need me to be helpful, and I add to that by being cheerful.

“I was speechless when I was told about this. All I can really say is ‘thank you’.”

Among the accolades for Mr Jeffrey, one said he was ‘friendly and polite, very quick to point out special offers to help save money, gives service with a smile, takes an interest in every customer and is a pleasure to be served by’.

Other nominees include behind-the bar stalwart Anne Bransfield, of The Queen’s Head pub, in Windsor Street, Uxbridge, who is hailed for her 32 years of loyal service.

Also Frank Harris, owner of Uxbridge Collectors, also in Windsor Street, who is described as ‘a true character’, whose customers always enjoy a laugh and chat.

To reward outstanding customer service, all you have to do is nominate the person in Uxbridge who does that little bit extra to help or make your shopping, dining or refreshment buying a pleasant experience.

The first category includes stores – anyone from a chain or independent shop in the town centre.

The second category is restaurants, bars and cafés, and again they must be located in the town centre.

The person nominated could then go forward to our shortlist, to vie for a first prize of £250 cash, with a winner chosen from both categories.

There will also be trophies for the first, second and third placed people in each category, and the person who does the nominating could also win a Chimes gift card worth up to £100.