TOWN centre shoppers are getting an extra helping hand after the launch of a daily “Ranger Surgery” as part of the business improvement district (BID) scheme.

TOWN centre shoppers are getting an extra helping hand after the launch of a daily “Ranger Surgery” as part of the business improvement district (BID) scheme.

Since taking to the town centre's streets in April as part of the scheme the team of four rangers have proved a big hit.

As well as offering help and advice to shoppers they also flag up problems such as litter and graffiti and have helped police with a number of arrests.

In their first month on duty they helped in excess of 4,500 members of the public as well as 1,000 enquiries from businesses.

In an attempt top help even more people the rangers will now spend an hour each day based on the Cornhill between 12.30pm and 1.30pm to listen to anyone who has a question to ask or a point to make.

The daily “Ranger Surgery” will provide another means of communication for visitors, businesses and customers in Ipswich.

Ipswich Central's Paul Clement said: “We have been overwhelmed by the effectiveness of the Street Rangers in providing useful information and guidance to a whole mass of different enquiries.

“They are the most visible confirmation of our £3.2million campaign to make the town centre more attractive to businesses, staff, shoppers and visitors.

“We have always called them the “eyes and ears” of the project and the new daily surgery will provide a rigid platform for enquiry.”

One of the Street Rangers said: “We have recently introduced the surgery idea to see whether it would be popular.

“I'm delighted to say that it has proved to be a big success and means we are engaging with customers and businesses even more than before.”

Other successful projects run by Ipswich Central under the BID include free park and ride and car parking, a state of the art radio link system, enhanced cleaning, improved customer safety, crime reduction and a new marketing campaign.

Ipswich Central is attempting to create a new standard in customer service in Ipswich town centre.

The “Excellence in Customer Training” scheme is being launched next month to further improve the level of customer service for all businesses in the BID area in central Ipswich.

The first two courses are already fully booked.

For more information about the initiative call 0845 1553030 or email enquiry@ipswichcentral.com.