A NEW scheme to tackle stroppy sales staff and crown the customer as king has come to Huddersfield.

Companies in the town are being urged to sign up for a new scheme called Servicemark and commit themselves to constantly improving the way they deal with customer complaints and queries.

The scheme is backed by Huddersfield Town Centre Management, Huddersfield University, Kirklees Council's economic development service, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and Huddersfield-based vehicle fleet management specialist FMG Group.

Servicemark will provide advice, training and seminars to help organisations emulate "best practice" in customer service.

Cathy Burger, of Huddersfield Town Centre Management, said: "Everyone knows customer service is vital and organisations should be constantly looking at ways to improve it.

"Servicemark will give Huddersfield companies this opportunity and allow them to reap the benefits of joining others in Yorkshire with the same commitment."

Companies can also apply for Servicemark bronze, silver and gold awards.

Servicemark already has more than 1,500 member organisations across Yorkshire, but has not operated formally in Huddersfield until now.

Etta Cohen, Leeds-based manager for Servicemark, said: "There is no charge to join Servicemark and there are many benefits.

"Imagine a world where everyone you deal with is polite and friendly, complaints are dealt with in an open way and the customer is king. This is the aim of Servicemark."

For more information, contact Etta Cohen on 0113 3949705 or email etta.cohen@yorkshire-for ward.com