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Michael Gore, a previously unemployed plumber from Chorley, has won VisitEngland’s highest achievable customer service award for his role as Customer Host Manager at the Best Western Premier Leyland Hotel.
Michael was officially named England’s most customer caring individual when he was awarded Gold in the customer service category at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, held at Athena in Leicester.
After struggling to find work as a qualified plumber a few years ago, Michael began working for the Premier Leyland Hotel. He worked his way up through the group’s training programme before deciding to enter the awards.
X-Factor style heats were used in Preston and Blackpool to separate the best from the rest, before a semi-final that ultimately led to Michael receiving the highest customer service accolade in tourism.
“I was speechless when my name was read out from a list of nominees from the very best hotels and restaurants across England,” said Michael. “It has been an incredible journey from burst pipes and a lack of work only a few years ago, to being crowned top customer care individual in England in 2012.”
Stuart Hunter, managing director of the Feathers Hotel Group that Premier Leyland is a part of, said: “I’m absolutely delighted for Michael as he has worked hard since he joined us and has committed himself to every training opportunity.
“It just goes to show that despite these difficult economic times, our industry has so much to offer in relation to personal development and career progression.”
