A FAMILY-RUN business has become Ayrshire’s first-ever Five Star Tourist Shop following a grading from VisitScotland.
Geraldo’s, based in the seaside town of Largs, received five stars from the national tourism organisation’s quality assurance (QA) scheme in recognition of its exceptional standards. The scheme is a benchmark for quality across the tourism industry and operates across accommodation, visitor attractions and food sectors.
Opened in 2000 by owner Toni Dawson and managed by her mother Caroline, the shop produces its own luxury ice-cream on site and specialises in handmade chocolates and premium spirits.
The business was named Geraldo’s in 2016 in memory of Toni’s late father Gerald, who earned the nickname while playing football for Scotland as a young man.
Ice-cream production at the firm began in 2005 and the business has won numerous awards for its creative flavour combinations.
Owner Dawson works closely with chocolate producers in the UK and Europe as well as with independent distilleries and craft producers.
A big supporter of the Scottish gin and whisky industry, Geraldo’s staff are accrediated as Gin and Whisky Ambassadors and the shop regularly hosts drinks tastings and masterclasses.
She said: “To be awarded Four Stars in 2016 was fantastic, but to achieve this five-star accreditation which we have strived towards over the last three years is just amazing. The suggestions made by the previous assessor were taken on board and we worked closely with our brand designers to implement as many of those as possible.
“This combined with the excellent team of staff we now have on board gives us much more confidence in delivering a more consistent experience for our customers both in the shop and online.”
VisitScotland regional director, Gordon Smith, added that the five-star grading awarded to Geraldo’s was “testament to the hard work of this business to offer a quality visitor experience”.
“Our Quality Assurance Scheme is world-leading and provides a trusted, independent and impartial source of information for visitors. It is about much more than just a star rating – it is about the entire visitor experience and investing in the business to make it as economically sustainable, and profitable, as it can be.”
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