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."

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.

Si 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.