Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership Awards 2007
Winners Announced in Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership Awards 2007The winners in the Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership Awards were announced at a glittering ceremony at the Spa Complex in Scarborough.
To view video of the evening, click here. Alternatively visit the photo gallery.
The full list of winners and finalists by category are:
1. Sustainable Tourism Award
Discovery Accommodation (Whitby)
Starfish Accommodation (Whitby) - Winner
Sponsored by: GNER
The judges were very impressed by the holistic approach to energy conversation by Starfish, and specific highlights included 40 square metres of solar panelling, double flush toilets, constant water heating to 38°C to avoid the need to add cold water, twin coiled cylinders and a heat pump. It was also noted that Starfish and Discovery share energy between the two sites and it is clearly seen as a very important element of their business model.
2. Tourism Retail of the Year
Hidden Treasures (Scarborough) - Winner
Castle Howard (York)
Hunters of Helmsley
Dolly's Deli (Whitby)
Upstairs Downstairs (Thirsk)
Fine Foods of Yorkshire (Easingwold)
Deli No 1 (Easingwold)
Sponsored by: Barclays Bank plc
The judges were very impressed with the variety of products on offer and the fact that the mystery shopper spent over one hour in the shop and still wanted to return in the near future. The service and product range was considered excellent and a really great place to browse.
3. Café/Bar of the Year
Farmhouse Preserves (Crayke) - Winner
Café View (Scarborough) - Highly Commended
Brambles Café (Scarborough)
Café Heart (Scarborough)
Monks Haven (Whitby)
Dolly's Deli (Whitby)
Le Chat Noir (Scarborough)
Tea Hee (Easingwold)
Mouseman Visitor Centre Café (Kilburn)
Sponsored by: Scarborough Evening News
Café View in Scarborough was highly commended in this category with it being a new business providing a real relaxing atmosphere with an excellent selection of food available. However, the winner, Farmhouse Preserves in Crayke is set in beautiful well kept surroundings with excellent home made produce readily available at a reasonable price.
4. Pub of the Year
The Blacksmiths Arms (Lastingham) - Winner
The Appletree (Marton, Sinnington) - Highly Commended
The Station Inn (Whitby)
The Hare Inn (Scawton, Thirsk)
The Coach House Inn (Pickering)
The Old Oak Tree (South Kilvington)
The Crosby (Thornton-le-Beans)
The Standard (Northallerton)
Sponsored by: Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership
One of the most pleasing aspects highlighted by the judges was the quality of customer service experience during all visits and all finalists really wanted guests to have a good time.
Highly commended was the Appletree in Marton, which could be described as the best gastro pub in the competition. However, the winner, The Blacksmiths, was described as an absolute gem of a pub welcoming tourists, walkers and locals alike, with a traditional bar, cosy snug and loads of character, it consistently provides a fabulous experience for a range of visitors and sends people away feeling warmer about the region.
5. Restaurant of the Year (High Volume)
Golden Grid Restaurant (Scarborough) - Winner
Whinstone View Bistro (Great Ayton) - Highly Commended
Tricolos (Scarborough)
Quayside (Whitby)
Sponsored by: Tourism First
Whinstone View Bistro at Great Ayton was highly commended providing an excellent choice of food, well presented staff and beautiful surroundings. The Golden Grid received an excellent score for the overall quality of food, value for money and the friendliness of the staff.
6. Restaurant of the Year (Special Occasion)
Chapters (Stokesley) - Winner
Le Chat Noir (Scarborough) - Highly Commended
Netherby House (Sleights) - Highly Commended
Chapters (Stokesley) - WinnerRed Chard Grill Rooms (Whitby)
Peppers (Scarborough)
Kulcha (Scarborough)
Tricolos (Scarborough)
Whinstone View Bistro (Great Ayton)
Gulshan Tandoori (Stillington)
Sponsored by: McCain Foods (GB) Ltd
This category was once again of an extremely high standard. Therefore the judges, in addition to the winner have highly commended Netherby House Restaurant for the excellent food and service within the hotel and growing its own vegetables, furthermore Le Chat Noir has also been highly commended for its varied menu and friendly atmosphere, which has gained great recognition in Scarborough.
Chapters has won this year due to excellent scoring throughout all categories, which made it a real special occasion to savour.
7. Outstanding Customer Service Award
Alison Steele (Open Top Bus Guide Coastal & Country Coaches) - Winner
Anne Egley (Crown Spa Hotel)
Paul and Cherryl Watson (Lynton Hotel)
Beckie Hunt (Monks Haven)
Sponsored by: Pindar Graphics
All four of the short listed finalists demonstrate outstanding customer service. However Alison Steele often went the extra mile by taking visitors, once they had left the bus, back to the hotels in her own car and also visited customers in their hotel during their stay after being on the bus visit. Alison is considered a real asset to the bus company, to Whitby, and the Moors and Coast area.
8. Visitor Attraction of the Year (under 50,000)
Filey Museum - Winner
Go Ape (Low Dalby) - Highly Commended
Captain Cook Memorial Museum (Whitby)
Elizabeth Steam Bus (Pickering)
Monk Park Farm (Bagby)
Playdale Farm Park (Cayton)
Falconry UK Limited (Kirby Wiske)
Sponsored by: Scarborough Hospitality Association
Go Ape in Low Dalby, was highly commended for its innovative adventure experience promoting both the forest and outdoor adventure in the area. Filey Museum is the winner for the second year running, due to the professionalism and enthusiasm of the staff, who have worked extremely hard to offer fantastic service in a difficult year, through the flooding in Filey and really have demonstrated great spirit and determination.
9. Visitor Attraction of the Year (50,000 and over)
North York Moors Railway (Pickering) - Winner
Eden Camp (Malton) - Highly Commended
Castle Howard (York)
Stephen Joseph Theatre (Scarborough)
Sea Life Centre (Scarborough)
The Moors National Park Centre (Danby)
Sponsored by: Bryn Jones Associates Ltd
This was a highly contested category with so many excellent attractions here within the Moors and Coasts area. The judges were impressed with the wealth and quality of our attractions and it's something that this area should be proud of.
Eden Camp was highly commended for its excellent interpretation within this family attraction, while the North York Moors Railway won because of its excellent customer service and new service right through to Whitby, linking up many great destinations throughout the National Park.
10. Caravan Park of the Year
Goosewood Holiday Park (Sutton on the Forest) - Winner
Ladycross Plantation Caravan Park (Egton)
Primrose Valley Holiday Village (Filey)
Sponsored by: Proudfoot Group of Companies
Goosewood Holiday Park provides an excellent 5 star site delivering excellent customer care and service throughout.
11. Self Catering Holiday Accommodation
Discovery Accommodation (Whitby) - Winner
Lighthouse Cottage (Scarborough) - Highly Commended
Lingholm Court Holiday Cottages (Lebberston)
Walnut Garth Holiday Accommodation (Swinton, Malton)
Stanhow Farm (Great Langton)
Starfish Accommodation (Whitby)
Sponsored by: Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership
This was another strong category with a variety of different types of accommodation.
Lighthouse Cottage in Scarborough has been highly commended for its excellent décor and facilities throughout, in a prime location, while Discovery Accommodation is this year's winner due to the professionalism of the business, the excellent quality of fittings and furnishings and the overall business model.
12. Guest Accommodation of the Year
No 9 B&B (Pickering) - Winner
Grinkle Lodge (Easington) - Highly Commended
Apricot Lodge (Pickering) - Highly Commended
Broom House (Whitby)
17 Burgate (Pickering)
The Leeway (Whitby)
Netherby House (Sleights)
Clarence Gardens Hotel (Scarborough)
Sponsored by: Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership
The judges said that the quality of guest accommodation in the area has increased significantly over recent years, and we now offer some of the best accommodation in the country.
Apricot Lodge in Pickering has been highly commended due to its focus on information and outdoor activities, while Grinkle Lodge is also highly commended for the excellent accommodation and the uniqueness of its rooms, which makes the stay at the Lodge something special. However No 9 B&B has won this year due to the excellent reviews, from offering tea and cakes on arrival, chocolates on the pillow and the comment that really won it, was that the service was better than many of the 5 star hotels in the country. So very well done to No 9 B&B of Pickering.
13. Hotel of the Year (up to 50 bedrooms)
Saxonville Hotel (Whitby) - Winner
Beiderbeckes Hotel (Scarborough)
Sponsored by: Matthew Clarke Wholesale Ltd
This is the second year that the Saxonville has won an Award and therefore this demonstrates its consistently high standard of service and is a real credit to Whitby and the coast.
14. Hotel of the Year (35 bedrooms and over)
Crown Spa Hotel (Scarborough) - Winner
Raven Hall Country House Hotel (Ravenscar) - Highly Commended
Royal Hotel (Scarborough)
Swallow St Nicholas Hotel (Scarborough)
Sponsored by: Castle Employment Agency Ltd
The Raven Hall Hotel in Ravenscar has been highly commended in this category. It is set in a magnificent location, has had considerable refurbishment and the service from all staff together with cleanliness was highlighted as excellent. However the Crown Spa has won this year due to the excellent quality of refurbishment, the added quality of the amenities, and the exceptionally high standard of the restaurant, which resulted in the mystery shopper eating there a second night at their own expense! So very well done to the Crown Spa and its team in this hotly contested category.
15. Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
The Chairman of the Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership, Mr Clive Rowe-Evans, presented this award to Tony Peers.
Tony arrived in Scarborough in 1983 and began a love affair with the town, which continues to the present day. His appearances in the Spa season summer shows and pantomimes established him as a firm favourite with audiences who returned year after year from all over the country to see his unique brand of comedy.
He used his frequent appearances on both local and national television to promote the coast as he described it as "the most beautiful in the country". His production company, which has shows appearing nationwide, bring further recognition to the area.
Since 2002 when he began producing the summer shows and pantomimes in his beloved Spa Theatre, he has heightened the profile of the summer show and it is now recognised within the tourist industry as amongst the best of its kind.
This year, in what was a difficult season nationally, the show has produced a 40% increase in admissions over the previous year. In the time that he has produced the pantomimes, the attendances have also increased 70%.
Having recently been appointed Chair of the Town Team as part of Yorkshire Forward's Renaissance Programme, Tony will without doubt continue to promote and encourage tourism in the area.
