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Their lifeblood may be history, but when it comes to customer service,
Wigan Borough’s gatekeepers of local heritage are definitely looking to
the future.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Heritage Services, which includes the
History Shop, Wigan Pier and Leigh Archives, has been awarded the
Government’s Charter Mark for public sector organisations.
Having Charter Mark status recognises the values of customer focus, high
quality service and an organisation’s commitment to continuous
improvement. To achieve the standard, Heritage Services had to
demonstrate that it performed well on a day-to-day basis, set very high
standards and actively engaged with customers, partners and staff at all
times.
Ian Bancroft, Executive Director for Libraries, Heritage and
Information, said, “We are very pleased to have achieved the very high
standards set by Charter Mark. The Charter Mark assessor commented on
our substantial progress in making heritage services more
customer-focussed over the past year. All of the staff should be
commended for the hard work they have put in to achieve this recognition
for the service.”
In a double boost for heritage, Wigan Pier has, for the fourth year
running, achieved Visit Britain’s increasingly prestigious Quality
Assured Visitor Attraction Accreditation (VAQAS).
This tourism industry accreditation involved a mystery visit by an
independent assessor looking at the quality of the visitor experience
from pre-arrival onwards and evaluates all aspects of the attraction,
including interpretation. This year’s assessor commented that, “The
awesome mill engine in steam is one of the special experiences of the
region."
Carole Tyldesley, Wigan Pier and Heritage Services Manager, said,
“Providing a service of the highest standards leads to repeat visits
from satisfied users and helps to generate new audiences. Heritage
Services is going through a transitional period at the moment were we
are looking in detail at new ways to maintain local people’s awareness
and appreciation of the borough’s rich heritage. There are challenging,
yet exciting times ahead; these awards are testament to the hard work of
all the heritage team and help give us focus for the future.”
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Heritage Services incorporates Wigan
Pier, the History Shop and Leigh Archives. They also produce the popular
heritage newsletter ‘Past Forward’ and have strong ties with Astley
Colliery. For further information visit
www.wlct.org/heritage, or call
in to one of the heritage sites.
-ends-
NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please
contact Chris Dunbar, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 486937 or
at c.dunbar@wlct.org.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a
charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and
support leisure and cultural facilities, initiatives and events for over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org.
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’s vision to ensure that people across the Wigan Borough have the
opportunity to become more physically, mentally and creatively active.
It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good
citizenship.
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