The entrepreneurial spirit and success of the retail and leisure industry will be acknowledged in this year's Dorset Business Awards.

The Retail and Leisure Experience Award, sponsored by The Dolphin Shopping Centre, is looking for companies showcasing outstanding achievement, innovative business concept, business acumen and excellence in customer service within the retail and leisure industry.

Dike & Son were announced the winner of the Retail and Leisure Experience Award last year, after judges were impressed by the extensive processes that are carried out by the grocery business to guarantee the best customer satisfaction.

The business monitors its service levels in various ways, including the presence of directors on the shop floor to gain customer feedback, mystery shopper attendance every 12 weeks and by monitoring and responding to comments on social media channels.

Andrew Dike, managing director of Dike & Son, said: ‘‘Winning Best Retail Experience in Dorset was an immense honour for us, it has given the team a real boost and our customers were very happy to hear our news. We have had a lot of good wishes and support from other Dorset firms as well.

‘‘The Dorset Business Awards are an extremely well organised, professional event that is highly regarded. Being in north Dorset we are slightly out of the loop of the Bournemouth and Poole business community, so being involved with the awards has helped us to forge links with other Dorset businesses.’’

John Grinnell, centre manager of the Dolphin Shopping Centre, added: ‘‘As being a loyal sponsor of the Retail and Leisure Experience Award, we are given the opportunity to engage with other retail and leisure businesses across the county. We receive a huge amount of coverage and feedback from the event and it’s encouraging to know that we are helping businesses grow and aspire to better themselves within the retail and leisure community.

‘‘We feel that the Dorset Business Awards put the Dolphin on the map for Dorset businesses, helping to get our name out to people who would not normally visit us. It also helps raise our profile within the retail and leisure environment.’’

The awards are organised by the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry, held in association with the Daily Echo and Dorset Echo and backed by Wave 105.

Businesses must enter by Sunday, September 3.

Entry is open to all companies which are based in Dorset with a BH or DT postcode and membership of DCCI is not required to enter.

For further information contact Stuart Dixon on 01202 714810.