Kirklees Council has teamed up with a Huddersfield-based customer service expert to help boost the district’s retail sector.

Kate, who heads business transformation specialist Insight with Passion, will deliver free advice sessions to tourism and retail businesses across Kirklees.

The aim will be to show how such businesses can create an excellent experience for the customer – along with tips on how to increase sales.

Kate is a retail and commercial expert respected nationally and internationally. She is a regular contributor and industry commentator on television and advises household names on how to reach more customers, transform the customer experience and become more successful.

She has recently returned from working in Dubai, New York and London – and says retailers there are facing the same issues as their counterparts in Kirklees.

“The independent retailers in Greenwich Village are exactly the same as the independents in Lindley,” she said.

“They are facing their own version of the pound shops and charity shops.”

Kate cites Lindley as a possible blueprint for other retail locations. “It has a mix of shops and the retailers all work together,” she said. “There’s one-hour parking, good food and beverage shops, boutiques, gift shops and florists.

“It has a Sainsbury’s micro-supermarket nearby, but the businesses are thriving because they are offering alternative products.”

Kate said: “There’s no miracle solution to increasing sales or getting more footfall. It’s down to hard work, but it’s also about working smarter.

“One pound in every 10 is spent online and internet shopping is not going to go away. The reason is that internet sites deliver what they promise, efficiently and at the right price.

“The high street is evolving. It has to be about mixing and sociability. People have to want to spend time there. It has to be a destination where customers really want to go.

“Shops can no longer just open the shutters and expect the customers to turn up.”

Said Kate: “As a passionate Yorkshirewoman – and Kirklees-born and bred – I wanted to help Kirklees’ businesses to raise the bar and go from good to great when it comes to retail and customer service.

“Working with Kirklees Council, has allowed us to organise these sessions which we hope will have a real impact for businesses and our town centres.”

Clr Peter McBride, Kirklees Council lead member for regeneration, said: “Kate brings with her a wealth of experience and knowledge that will help our already fantastic businesses move up a notch.

“Yorkshire is now known not just for setting the bar, but raising it which ultimately makes for an improved customer experience.”

As well as being a multi-award winning businesswoman, Kate is a director of Super League side Bradford Bulls and has spoken on business issues around the world.

She also founded the Positive Image campaign and is the founder of singing group Charity Dreamgirls, which raises awareness of lesser-known charities.

The free workshops will take place from 6.30pm to 9.30pm on September 19 at Full Life Church, Holmfirth; on September 25 at Gomersal Park Hotel, Gomersal; and on October 1 at The Foxglove Inn, Kirkburton.

The events are open to retail and tourism businesses, but places are limited to one per organisation. 

Businesses can register online via Eventbrite at http://bit.ly/1847IuZ