It's not all doom and gloom in our local shops

Each time I go in I am greeted by name with a smile and asked how I am. If I miss a week of not going in, I am asked if I am all right and not been ill. Nothing is too much trouble.

They are some of the most friendly people I have met.

Mick and Joyce Tidy, Steve, Simone and Louise and not forgetting our wonderful paperboys who come out in hail, rain and shine, Josh and Paul.

They get up in the middle of the night and still have a smile on their face,

My thanks to all of them. They deserve a mention.

Ricky Johnson, Cawley Road, Chichester

DUNCAN, I was interested to read your article Service with a Smile. I am sorry you have not been the recipient of good customer service in the local area. However, all is not lost.

Here at Chichester College we are focused on ensuring our students understand how important customer service is.

An example is that all our travel and tourism students learn about customer service as an integral part of their course.

They practise communication with customers and being professional at all times. They also learn how to accommodate customers with individual needs and how to deal with upset or difficult customers.

Many local employers agree with you this is an important area and this is why they invest in their staff, sending them on part-time courses such as the NCFE Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service or arranging for them to study for an NVQ in Customer Service in partnership with the College.

I agree with you that consistent customer service is essential across all sectors of industry and it is an aspect that can give businesses that critical competitive edge.

I thought you'd be reassured to know that locally many people take customer service very seriously and hopefully you'll start to see the results.

Hilary Hele,

business and tourism, Chichester College

I work in a garage in Southbourne as a cashier. It pays the minimum wage and yes, it is my choice to work there and I do enjoy it.

I think I offer service with a smile, am always chatty and will help in any way I can with whatever queries come my way.

Why I'm writing is to tell you about the treatment I get from some of the customers. Most of them are great, but not all.

I have had cards and money thrown across the counter, people who don't say one word, not even '˜please' or '˜thank you'. Some people come in to pay for petrol, which can be anything up to a tenner, with a bag of small change and expect me to happily take it and count it for them (which I do)!

Others come in and look down their noses and talk to me as if I'm stupid just because I work in a petrol station.

I actually spent 13 years in the army in intelligence!

What I'm saying is that it works both ways, and while people automatically expect shop assistants to be happy and helpful, sometimes the treatment they get is diabolical.

Keep up the good work with your column, Duncan. I look forward to reading it every week.

Debbie Anderson, Southbourne

I RECEIVED excellent service from British Aerials, Bognor, after my TV aerial was blown down in the recent gales.

Further assistance was also given to me by giving me the names of several TV repair contacts.

All congratulations to them!

CAC Field, Grosvenor Gardens, Bognor Regis