Published: Thursday, 23rd April, 2009 9:00am

Anna's up for an OSCA

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At your service: Retail Hero nominee Anna Wilk
Pic by: Lee Jones

It's that time of year again when Bracknell's retail heroes are recognised for their outstanding service to customers.

After the success of last year's OSCAs event, the 2009 awards organised by the Bracknell Regeneration Partnership (BRP) will take place on Thursday, May 14, and are set to be hotly contested.

In the run-up to the evening, the News will be profiling some of the nominees for the highly prestigious Bracknell News Retail Hero Award and giving readers the chance to nominate their own Retail Hero, using the form, right.

The first profile is Caffe Nero's Anna Wilk who works inside the Bentalls store in the town centre. The 30-year-old, who moved to the UK seven years ago from her native Poland, has lived in Bracknell since 2007.

Giving her reaction to being nominated, Mrs Wilk said: "I was very, very proud, I was shocked and didn't expect it at all.

"Customer service is very important to us ."

"I'm not even thinking about winning the award - it means so much to me just to be nominated."

Mrs Wilk, who is married with a three-and-a-half-year-old daughter, has a history of customer-facing jobs, having previously worked in the catering industry in London and been a hotel receptionist and travel agent in Poland.

She said: "I love the job. I never get fed up making coffee because I know that my customers love my drinks and like my service as well."

"Most customers come here because of the friendly atmosphere, they can talk with us, they can have a cup of coffee, they can read the newspapers, so it is important to be nice to them."

"I like jobs where I am dealing with customers and meeting people. I always try to be very friendly, polite and welcome customers with a smile."

Rob Morris, retail manager for BRP, said: "The whole team has worked very hard since the brand began in Bentalls and are a real credit to Caffe Nero, Bentalls and the town centre."

The News' Retail Hero award is the only OSCAs award where the public can have their say. Nominees in other OSCAs categories, including large chain shop and food outlet, are picked based on mystery shopper results.

The winner of the Retail Hero award will be presented with their trophy during the glitzy OSCAs bash next month.

The winner will be chosen by OSCAs organisers Bracknell Regeneration Partnership and award sponsors Bracknell News.

Buy this week's Bracknell News to get a copy of the Retail Hero 2009 nomination form.