Uplawmoor Hotel has joined an elite cadre of businesses in Barrhead’s local authority area after the launch of a pilot scheme aimed to boosting tourism.

Other businesses including Busby Hotel, the Orchard Park Hotel, Dry Bar Hair Salon, Bellame Hair Salon and Mansworld Clothing were also honoured at the event which was organised to recognise each local businesses achievements and their commitment to investing in excellent customer service.

But none of it would have been possible if East Renfrewshire had not been nominated to be a pilot area for an innovative national scheme.

The area was selected to be one of 11 pilot areas in the national WorldHost destination project. WorldHost is an economic development, business support initiative and training package that enables businesses to demonstrate they have achieved a gold standard in customer service.

John Hamilton, President of the East Renfrewshire Chamber of Commerce said: “The programme provides affordable, effective training that ultimately improves customer service and therefore sales and also motivates and retains staff. The overall outcome will be an excellent customer experience encouraging visitors and existing customers to return and recommend the area and its businesses to others.” £350,000 in funding was secured across Scotland from Skills Development Scotland for the first year of the project to enable businesses to access funding for training staff.

East Renfrewshire Council’s economic development team draws down funds from this to support training locally.

Retail, food or tourism SMEs can apply for 50 per cent of staff training costs.

And East Renfrewshire will become internationally recognised WorldHost destination once enough customer facing businesses have achieved the status. The Avenue in Newton Mearns was the first shopping centre in Scotland to achieve this status in 2013.

Convener for infrastructure and sustainable growth Councillor Tony Buchanan said: “Economic development’s remit is to support local businesses and promote tourism. Our support for this initiative is aimed at boosting the area as a whole. Becoming one of the first WorldHost area destinations in Scotland would be a great accolade for East Renfrewshire helping us to further enhance our reputation for a quality and niche retail and food offering.

“If you own or work for an East Renfrewshire retail, food or tourism business and would like to find out whether your staff members are eligible for 50per cent of customer service training costs please contact aileen@amdbusinesstraininganddevelopment.co.uk or visit http://scotland.worldhost.co.uk for more information.”