THE dedicated team serving customers at an iconic Northwich landmark has received national acclaim.

Despite having to deal with the disruption of the ongoing Soot Hill road closure and occasional shut-downs, the team at the Anderton Boat Lift Visitor Centre has won the Canal & River Trust's (CRT) best customer service award.

The Anderton team was presented with the honour at an awards ceremony held on the grounds of the 'Cathedral of the Canals.

They beat off competition from customer service colleagues working in a range of roles and at canal locations across the CRT charity’s 2,000-mile network in England and Wales.

Ani Sutton, destination and attraction manager with the CRT, described the team as the charity’s own ‘equivalent SAS’, ‘hidden gems’ providing excellent customer service, whilst having to respond to constantly changing or challenging circumstances.

She said: “The team at the Anderton visitor attraction fully deserve this national recognition for delivering a first-class service at a world-renowned, national waterway heritage site.

"This is despite having to deal with a variety of operational challenges and thousands of customers potentially disrupted by a lengthy local road closure or occasional shut-downs on the 148-year Victorian structure. 

“They juggle a wide range of tasks, from keeping the grounds immaculate and the trip boat repainted to hosting major events, serving delicious food in the cafe, booking lift trips and ‘top of the world’ tours.

“It is a superb team of 13 permanent staff, supported by 11 seasonal workers and 25 dedicated regular volunteers. They are passionate about being a success and constantly strive for perfection.

"Visitor feedback indicates they are engaging, polite, friendly and represent the Trust excellently. They excel at dealing with complex situations on a regular basis – and do everything with a smile on their face!”

Visitors can see the team in action and enjoy boat trips along the River Weaver Navigation and through the historic boat lift five days a week (Friday to Tuesday) until the end of October.

Over winter (November to March), the Anderton Boat Lift and Visitor Centre continues to welcome visitors to the café and site only at weekends – Saturdays and Sundays, 9.30am to 4.30pm. 
 
For more information, check out the CRT website: canalrivertrust.org.uk/places-to-visit/anderton-boat-lift-visitor-centre or call 01606 786777.