Extract
from the Blackpool Gazette 23/06/05
Coast's
firms clean up at the tourism 'Oscars'
SOME
of the Fylde's top hotels and attractions will have to find
extra room on their mantelpieces after scooping a clutch of
gongs at Lancashire's tourism Oscars.
The
cream of the local industry enjoyed a lavish bash to mark
the second annual Blackpool and Lancashire Tourist Board Awards;
many leaving with richly deserved awards and plaudits.
More
than 150 guests were on hand at the Stanley House Hotel, Mellor,
near Blackburn, for the show hosted by Radio Lancashire's
breakfast presenter and Phoenix Nights star, Ted Robbins.
The
event recognises and celebrates the outstanding performers
and high levels of investment in quality from across the tourism
industry.
Blackpool's
big winner was the Pembroke Hotel, on King Edward Avenue,
North Shore, which walked away with the Bed and Breakfast
of the Year Award and the new category, Best Tourism Website
of the Year.
Michael
Higgins, co-owner of the double winner, said: "It's a
massive surprise for us to win two awards this year. We have
only been in business for two years, but we're continually
listening to our customers, who help us reinvest in our business."
The
awards are supported by the Northwest Regional Development
Agency with sponsorship from Lancashire County Developments
Ltd, the MLA (Museums, Libraries and Archives), Blackpool
Tourism and Made in Lancashire.
Other
winners from Blackpool included Blackpool Pleasure Beach,
scooping Business Tourism Xof the Year Award. And not to be
left out, Blackpool's traditional chippy, Seniors –
The Fish Experience, on Normoss Road, came away with another
new category, Taste of Lancashire and Blackpool Award.
Other
winners on the Fylde included: The Villa Country House Hotel
at Wrea Green, which won Small Hotel of the Year; Swans Rest
Holiday Cottages at Singleton, which won Self-catering Holiday
of the Year, and Sunset Park at Hambleton, which claimed the
Caravan Holiday Park of the Year title for the second year
running.
Michael
Taylor, director of Carr Royd Park, Sunset Park, Hambleton,
said: "It's a fantastic achievement. We're really pleased
to come away with this award after a fantastic year. "In
a few weeks we're officially opening a new facility at the
park and this award gives us the incentive to work even harder
for next year."
Helen
Bays, manager at The Villa Country House Hotel, said: "It's
really fantastic. To come from out of nowhere and expand our
business and walk away with a first prize is a real achievement
for us all."
Irene
O'Connor, manager at Swans Rest Holiday Cottages, Singleton,
said: "We're very honoured to win this award and for
all the hard work the staff have put in. This just shows what
20 years of experience can do for your business."
Simone
Roche, head of sales at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, said: "We're
really delighted to win this award. Year on year we continually
strive to achieve the best for our millions of visitors at
the attraction and last year was no different."
Rick
Horabin, owner of Seniors, said: "We feel great. This
award is for our staff. We have 26 full and part-time staff
at the restaurant and all of them in their own unique way
are innovators who are always coming up with fresh ideas.
"We have customers to die for and we use every opportunity
to make them feel welcome when they visit."
Jane
Seddon, director of tourism at Blackpool Council, said: "it
has been a fantastic day for Blackpool and it shows the level
of quality and innovation that exist in the town.
"I'm
particularly pleased for the Pembroke Hotel, who were the
big winners for Blackpool, picking up two awards."
GUEST
ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
BEST
TOURISM WEBSITE OF THE YEAR
From
the Opinions Page - Blackpool Gazette 23/06/05
Web
Wise Hotel
When it comes to the North West holiday experience, Blackpool
obviously knows best.
So
it stands to reason that the town should win awards for the
best B & B and chippie. Congratulations then to the Pembroke
Hotel, North Shore, for winning best Bed and Breakfast of
the Year in the Blackpool and lancashire Tourist Board Awards.
Congratulations
also to Seniors fish bar for winning the Taste of lancashire
award in the same ceremony.
But
there was another, even more interesting honour bestowed ....also
on the Pembroke Hotel. It won the new category of Best Tourism
Website of the year. Proof, perhaps, that the resort is looking
ahead to the future, as well as taking care of tradition.
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