AWARDS will be given to Gloucester city centre's best performing businesses in a bid to attract more tourists to the area.
Nominations will open in August for the Gloucester city centre's best bar, customer service, tourist experience, family restaurant and most improved premises.
The winners of the Gloucester City Centre Evening Economy Awards will be presented with awards at a special ceremony at The New County Hotel in October.
Gloucester's Evening Economy Group have drawn up plans for the award ceremony in a bid to raise standards in the city.
It is hoped that this will help Gloucester city centre achieve a 'Purple Flag' status to recognise excellence in managing the evening and night-time economy.
Tarren Randle, chair of the Gloucester Evening Economy Group and city councillor for Barnwood, said: "We want these awards to show people that Gloucester is a great place for an evening out, has the best customer service, and offers the best value bed and breakfasts."
"We want to raise standards and to encourage businesses to take more pride in what they have to offer, not just for the Rugby World Cup but also for further afield."
The awards will be to any hospitality business in the city centres, from taxi ranks, bed and breakfasts, hotels, bars and takeaways.
Prizes will include plaques to display outside the premises and promotional services from Marketing Gloucester.
Tarren said: "A Purple Flag rating will be great for attracting people to visit from outside the area. Over the past year we have seen a steady increase in the number of coaches coming to the city and this is something we want to continue."
Chris Atine, general manager of Cafe Rene on Southgate Street, said: "The awards are a great idea because they will encourage other businesses in the sector to try and bring more people into the city centre.
"A Purple Flag rating will also encourage more tour operators and coach parties to come to the city, as they will be more assured that their customers will get a quality service."
