A RETAIL park has scooped one of the biggest customer service awards on the eve of its first anniversary.

Vangarde Shopping Park will celebrate the anniversary next month and has more than one reason to celebrate after picking up the British Council of Shopping Centres (BCSC) ACE gong in the Retail and Shopping Park category.

The award marks a strong year for the park, which is now fully occupied and features the region’s only John Lewis.

Customer service team member John Entwistle was also shortlisted for an ACE Star Award for his level of customer service over the year.

John, who started as a cleaner at Vangarde, has since risen to be a team leader.

Deb O’Donnell, manager of the centre, said: “To win this award is testament to the team we have here .”