Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Awards 2008
Winners Announced in Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership Awards 2008The winners in the Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership Awards were announced at a glittering ceremony at the Spa Complex in Scarborough.
Winners slideshow
Images and a video of the evening.
The full list of winners and finalists by category are:
Sustainable Tourism Award
Sponsored by First TransPennine Express
For any tourism business working to maximise their positive impact on the environment and local area/community while communicating their environmental commitment to their visitors.
The winner is:-
Marine View, Scarborough
Finalists:
Ashfield House, Pickering
Discovery Accommodation, Whitby
Raven Hall Hotel, Scarborough
Starfish Accommodation, Whitby
Marine View is a small, family-run guest house that really impressed the judges with its considerable efforts to not only improve its own sustainability but also to promote green tourism to its guests. It has a comprehensive environmental policy that sets out objectives to reduce, re-use and recycle wherever possible.
Tourism Retail of the Year
Sponsored by Barclays Bank plc
For any tourism business working to maximise their positive impact on the environment and local area/community while communicating their environmental commitment to their visitors.
The winner is:-
Doodlepots, Whitby
Finalists:
Dolly's Deli, Whitby
Hidden Treasures, Scarborough
Lewis & Cooper, Northallerton
North Bay Railway, Scarborough
By bringing an interactive retail experience to visitors, the judges felt Doodlepots was a worthy winner. Exceptionally helpful staff, well presented and spotlessly clean premises and an attractive window display also helped clinch the deal.
Café/Bar of the Year
Sponsored by Adverset
The winner is:-
TeaHee, Easingwold
Finalists:
Café View, Scarborough
Monks Haven, Whitby
Penny Bank Café, Kirkbymoorside
Solid Rock Café, Scarborough - Highly Commended
Le Chat Noir, Scarborough
Dolly's Deli, Whitby
TeaHee was a firm favourite with the judges thanks to its attention to detail, excellent support and use of local produce and its appeal to a wide range of people. Its marketing material and customer incentives were also highly praised.
Highly commended in this category is the Solid Rock Café for its warm welcome and varied menu.
Pub of the Year
Sponsored by: DeliciouslYorkshire
The winner is:-
Black Swan, Oldstead
Finalists:
Anvil Inn, Sawdon
Duke of York, Gate Helmsley
Mallyan Spout, Goathland
Middleton Arms, Pickering - Highly Commended
Wheatsheaf Inn, Egton
The Black Swan impressed with its exceptional and well-presented food described by the mystery shopper as far superior to lunches offered elsewhere. Local produce is key to their menu and the staff are knowledgeable about the dishes and ingredients involved.
Highly commended in this category is the Middleton Arms with its generous portions, welcoming atmosphere and attentive staff.
Restaurant of the Year (High Volume)
Sponsored by McCain Foods Ltd
The winner is:-
Copper Horse, Scarborough
Finalists:
Tricolos, Scarborough - Highly Commended
Fiesta Mehicana, Scarborough
Golden Grid, Scarborough
The Quayside, Whitby
Upstairs Downstairs, Thirsk
The judges remarked on the high standards of service and choice at the Copper Horse which provides delicious home cooked meals in a friendly and relaxed setting. Its good use of locally sourced and seasonal ingredients also received praise.
Highly commended in this category is Tricolors in Scarborough whose staff were described by the judges as ‘bubbly, enthusiastic and friendly'.
Restaurant of the Year (Special Occasion)
Sponsor: Crown Property Group
The winner is:-
Greens Restaurant, Whitby
Finalists:
Estbeck House, Sandsend - Highly Commended
Chapters, Stokesley
The Green Room, Scarborough
Netherby House, Whitby
The judges were very impressed by the wide range of local produce on the menu at Greens in particular the great selection of fish dishes sourced from Whitby's quayside. Their website is easily navigated and very informative and the hospitality shown throughout the mystery shopper's visit was excellent.
Estbeck House in Sandsend near Whitby is highly commended in this category with the judges commenting on its remarkable attention to detail in every area.
Outstanding Customer Service Award
Sponsored by Pindar Group plc
The winner is:-
17 Burgate, Pickering
Finalists:
Café View, Scarborough
Clarence Gardens, Scarborough
Easthill Farm, Thornton-le-Dale
The Glass House, Scarborough
Jadellas Guest House, Scarborough
River Esk Apartments, Whitby
Scarborough Travel & Holiday Lodge - Highly Commended
This was a highly contested category but great feedback and high levels of repeat and referred business meant that 17 Burgate came out on top with the judges. Customer service is at the very heart of everything they do and they are constantly looking at ways to improve the facilities and go the extra mile for their guests.
Scarborough Travel & Holiday Lodge also impressed the judges with its warm and friendly staff, customer focused approach and quick response to feedback from its guests. They are highly commended for this category.
Visitor Attraction of the Year (under 50,000)
Sponsored by Scarborough Hospitality Association
The winner is:-
Filey Museum
Finalists:
Coastal & County Coaches, Whitby
Falconry UK, Thirsk
Whitby Walks, Whitby
World of James Herriot, Thirsk - Highly Commended
Yorkshire Lavender, Terrington
This is the second year in a row that Filey Museum has won this award with the mystery shopper getting an overwhelming sense of pride from the staff at this delightful Museum. It is well presented throughout and a great attraction for Filey.
Highly commended for this category is the World of James Herriot in Thirsk which the judges described as great value for money with helpful and friendly staff.
Visitor Attraction of the Year (50,000 and over)
Sponsored by: Hygicare
The winner is:-
Castle Howard
Finalists:
Eden Camp, Malton
North Bay Railway, Scarborough
Sea Life Centre, Scarborough
A full day out with something for everyone was how the mystery shopper summed up Castle Howard. Helpful and informative staff, an attention to detail and the new children's playground also impressed. With an excellent choice of retail outlets and a wide range of catering outlets, Castle Howard was a firm favourite with the judges.
Caravan Park of the Year
Sponsored by: Discover Leisure
The winner is:-
Jasmine Park, Scarborough
Finalists:
Alders Caravan Park, Alne
Jacobs Mount Caravan Park, Scarborough
Ladycross Plantation, Whitby - Highly Commended
Lebberston Touring Park, Scarborough - Highly Commended
Thornton Lodge Farm, Easingwold
The judges felt that winner Jasmine Park had really upped their already excellent standards this year thanks to an ongoing investment programme. Praise was also given to their website with its online availability and booking facilities.
The judges also singled out two caravan parks for high commendation - Ladycross Plantation for its great landscaping and top-class amenities and Lebberston Touring Park for its high quality and added personal touches throughout the site.
Self Catering Holiday Accommodation
Sponsored by G W Proudfoot Ltd
The winner is:-
Adventure Cottage, Whitby
Finalists:
Beech Farm Cottages, Pickering - Highly Commended
Discovery Accommodation, Whitby
Keld Head Farm Cottages, Pickering - Highly Commended
Laura's Cottage, Cropton
Lingholm Court Cottages, Scarborough
Starfish Accommodation, Whitby
This was a highly contested category with some very strong entries. Category winner, Adventure Cottage is a great property in a lovely location with knowledgeable and helpful staff. A charming place that is equipped and maintained to a high standard, it creates a real home away from home for its customers.
Standards were high in this category so the judges also gave two high commendations to Beech Farm Cottages for its commitment to improve its facilities and reinvest in the business to maintain the highest standards and Keld Head Farm Cottages for the quality of the accommodation and also its fantastic website offering 360 degree views of the property.
Guest Accommodation of the Year
Sponsored by UK Select Foods/Mad Hatter Tea Company
The winner is:-
Moorlands Country House, Levisham
Finalists
Apricot Lodge, Pickering - Highly Commended
Broom House, Egton Bridge
17 Burgate, Pickering - Highly Commended
Burnley House, Hutton le Hole
Crakehall Watermill, Bedale
Eleven Westgate, Pickering
Little Holtby, Northallerton
Moorlands Country House really impressed the judges with the quality of the accommodation and homely service. It makes excellent use of local produce and the attention to detail, especially the added extras in the guests' rooms, were praised highly by the mystery shopper.
The judges also gave two high commendations in this category to Apricot Lodge for its excellent standard of service and desire to cater for every need and 17 Burgate for its stylish yet comfortable environment and friendly service.
Hotel of the Year (up to 50 bedrooms)
Sponsored by Matthew Clarke Wholesale Ltd
The winner is:-
Lastingham Grange, Lastingham
Finalists:
Crathorne Hall, Yarm
Mallyan Spout, Goathland
Saxonville Hotel, Whitby
Lastingham Grange was described by the judges as a hidden gem of a hotel with a very homely, welcoming environment and a high percentage of repeat visitors. Attention to detail is exceptional and nothing is too much trouble. The mystery shopper's only regret was that they couldn't stay longer!
Saxonville Hotel is highly commended in this category for its continual upkeep of high standards of service.
Hotel of the Year (35 bedrooms and over)
Sponsored by Castle Employment Agency Ltd
The winner is:-
Crown Spa Hotel, Scarborough
Finalists:
Burn Hall, Huby
Raven Hall Hotel, Ravenscar - Highly Commended
This is the second year the Crown Spa has scooped this award which, along with the fact that it achieved a 4 star rating earlier this year, is testament to its quality amenities and excellent restaurant. Innovative marketing initiatives and a strong commitment to raise its environmental standards also impressed the judges.
Highly commended is Raven Hall Hotel where the staff were described as friendly and efficient and the food, excellent.
Continental Bar of the Year
Sponsored by Scarborough Evening News
Winner:
The Glass House, Scarborough
Finalists:
Arnies Café, Whitby
Mist Bar, Scarborough
The judges described The Glass House as a welcome addition to the Moors & Coast scene. Attention to detail and the ambience were cited by the mystery shopper as very good with very attentive and friendly service also praised.
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism
Sponsored by Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership
The Chairman of the Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Partnership, Mr Clive Rowe-Evans, presented this award to daughter and son of renowned author Alf Wight, better known as James Herriot to recognise the remarkable efforts the family has contributed to the industry.
The highly coveted award, voted for by a panel of experts from the world of hospitality, tourism and the media, was presented during the Yorkshire Moors and Coast Tourism Awards ceremony at The Spa Scarborough. The award's evening was held to honour the hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence of the region's many tourism businesses.
Clive Rowe-Evans, Chair of the Moors & Coast Tourism Partnership, said: "This year the decision was made to award the prize to a family, not an individual, renowned for their work in the Yorkshire Moors and Dales area. Alf Wight not only introduced a new tourism industry to the region with the publication of his books, but the family continues to build upon his foundations, offering far more of themselves to the cause than could be asked for."
The Wight family are known for the initial work of Alf Wight and the books he produced. The characters and settings he described helped start a brand new tourist industry for the area. He passed away 13 years ago but his legacy lives on thanks to his son and daughter and his creation ‘The World of James Herriot'. Not only will it reach its tenth birthday next year but it has also attracted a fan base from around the world bringing people from far and wide who would not have other wise come.
