National Customer Service Week 1 to 7 October

Press release - 21 September 2007

In celebration of National Customer Service Week, Shropshire County Council will be hosting a series of events and activities between 1 and 7 October.

To also mark the event Shropshire Customer Services are holding two competitions to test the county’s knowledge of Shropshire.

The 'Where Am I? – test your knowledge of Shropshire' competitions, which includes an art competition for under 12’s, tests knowledge of places in Shropshire and comprises of clues and images. Prizes include hampers of local produce, family day tickets for Acton Scott and the Shropshire Hills Discovery Centre Craven Arms and Stationery/art sets. Closing date for competitions is Wednesday 26 September.

Other events including displays and demonstrations about public services and how to access them will be at the Shirehall between 1 and 4 October.

The Customer Service Centre and Customer First Point representatives will have a stall at the UK Day for Older People's event in the Market Square, Shrewsbury from 10.00am - 3.00pm on Monday 1 October.

Melinda Swanborough, Shropshire County Council, Customer Services Contact Centre Manager said: “National Customer Service Week is an exiciting opportunity to see what we do for the local community and how to contact us. It can be frustrating to get transferred from pillar to post to get what you want but with the new Customer Service Centre and Customer First Points, there is a one stop shop”.

Advisors can deal with queries from reporting pot holes to opening times of museums to applications for blue badges and copy birth certificates to permits for the local household recycling centres.

For further information about the National Customer Service Week events and entries for the Where Am I competition contact Customer Services on 0845 678 9000 or visit www.shropshire.gov.uk.

ends

Further information

(1) Shirehall events

Monday 1 October, between 2-4pm - a demonstration of the Shropshire County Council website.

Tuesday 2 October, between 10.00am to 2.00.pm – displays and information on the Countryside Parish Access Projects

Wednesday 3 October from 10.00am - 4.00pm - what's available to you at our Customer First Points and the vast range of information available through our Community Directory

Thursday 4 October 10.00am - 4.00pm - come and see a working demonstration of Telly-talk - how you can access our services through video conferencing in your neighbourhood, now available at Gobowen and Albrighton and coming soon this Autumn at Pontesbury, Bishops Castle, Bucknell, Much Wenlock and Shawbury.

(2) Competitions

To celebrate National Customer Service week 1 - 7 October 2007, Shropshire County Council is holding the following competitions:

Where Am I (over 12) - test your knowledge of Shropshire - closing date 26 September 2007
Where Am I - (under 12's) including art competition ( under 12's) - closing date 26 September 2007

The prize winners will be notified by 29 September 2007 with information on the prize they have won and collection/delivery details. You can enter our competitions if you live in Shropshire, work in Shropshire or travel to school/college in Shropshire. One competition entry per eligible person only.

(3) To contact Shropshire County Council please call 0845 678 9000 (local call rate) between 8am - 8pm on Mondays and Thursdays, 8am - 6pm on Tuesday,Wednesday and Friday and on Saturday 9am - 1pm , drop in at one of the Customer First Points around the county or visit our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk

For further information, call Melinda Swanborough, Contact Centre Manager on 01743 250300
For media contact, call Maria Jones, Communications Officer, Community Services on 01743 253881