Traders are set to benefit from a new scheme to improve customer service and bring in more shoppers.

Witham shopkeepers are being urged to pledge support for a High Street version of the Oscars aimed at improving standards.

The project, which is yet to be named, will be based on a model called the Braintree Offers Best Service scheme (BOBS).

The BOBS scheme has been running for three years and has more than 50 members.

Firms are assessed, trained and there are regular mystery shopper visits to ensure traders are keeping up standards and moving with the times.

Traders are awarded certificates and given a sticker to display in the front window if they meet the rigorous criteria.

Funding is currently being sought for the project and a working party is also to be set up at the next meeting of the Witham Town Strategy Group in November.

Strategy group chairman Paul Ryland said: "We don't like to emulate other towns but it is a really good scheme. I think we need to pull our socks up in Witham.

"The BOBS scheme has helped in Braintree and I feel we need a similar project to make traders aware of the need to change.

"We are having the same problems as Braintree with the amount of development being inputted into Chelmsford and Colchester and we need to adjust. I am optimistic that we will be able to get the funding for the scheme in the next three or four months."

Witham Technology Centre manager Russell Everard, chairman of the Braintree project, said: "A BOBS scheme for Witham will set a criteria which will help to raise standards and give traders an idea of which areas they need to improve.

"It has helped to raise standards for shoppers in Braintree and it is still growing in popularity."

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