Press Release 20th March 2015

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1 Press Release 20th March 2015 TOURISM AWARD WINNERS STRICTLY EMBARGOED UNTIL 12.01am Friday, March 20, 2015 Hull and East Yorkshire s very own tourism Oscars culminated in a triumphant and glittering awards evening attended by 400 people at the KC Stadium in Hull, last night (Thursday, March 19). There were record entries for this year s Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs), the sixth year running they have been organised by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY). And tickets for last night s black tie dinner, hosted by BBC Look North s Kate Sweeting and Radio Humberside presenter Phil White, were in such demand there was a waiting list. Andy Gray, VHEY s tourism manager, described it as a remarkable event to celebrate a remarkable industry which contributes over 757 million annually to the Hull and East Yorkshire economy and provides employment for over 15,000 people. There were 68 finalists competing in last night's categories, which recognise the best individuals, attractions and hospitality businesses in the area's tourism industry. Winners were presented with unique awards created by ceramics students at Hull College. We have over 1,800 businesses who operate within the visitor economy in Hull and East Yorkshire and the quality of entries to the awards this year has been incredible, said Mr Gray. These awards allow us to showcase all that is remarkable about tourism in Hull and East Yorkshire and we certainly have plenty to celebrate. The bar has definitely been raised. Tourism body VHEY, which is jointly funded by Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, launched the REYTAs in 2009 and they have gone on to be regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the industry. They are now also aligned to the Visit England awards, giving REYTA winners the chance of national honours.

2 During the evening, Hull City Council s tourism manager Anthony Yates revealed that VHEY will shortly be launching a new, three-year, tourism strategy aimed at driving tourism revenues to record-breaking levels. Exciting times are ahead, he said. Our target is to generate an additional two million visitors into Hull and East Yorkshire and increase the visitor economy by a further 200 million by To deliver this we are planning to deliver packages, themed itineraries, welcome packs and a new visitor passport - just for starters. Guest of honour at last night s dinner was Martin Green, chief executive of Hull City of Culture The REYTAs are self-funding thanks to ticket sales and the support of sponsors. Sponsors include St Stephen s shopping centre, Strawberry, Classlane Media, Wykeland, The Deep, Mail News & Media, the Local Enterprise Partnership, Gosschalks, Laurel Vines, East Yorkshire Local Food Network and Tiger Events. Councillor Jane Evison, cabinet portfolio holder for economy, investment and inequalities at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: "The Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs) is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the calendar and last night's ceremony certainly lived up to the name. "I would like to commend all our local tourism businesses that were shortlisted and to congratulate all of the category winners for securing such coveted awards. These businesses can take great pride in their achievement, which highlights their hard work and commitment to providing a high calibre tourism offer. "The tourism sector plays a vital role in the East Riding economy, bringing millions of pounds of visitor spend to the area and supporting thousands of jobs. The REYTAs provides the perfect platform to celebrate the work of the industry, locally, and to promote the region to a wider audience." THE AWARDS There were major highspots throughout the evening; not least the last award of the evening, the Passion Award, chosen by the VHEY Board to honour the person making the greatest contribution to tourism in Hull and East Yorkshire in the past year. It went to Colin Brown, chief executive of The Deep in Hull. Andy Gray said: Tonight s award goes to a person who has shown lifelong dedication and commitment to the region s tourism industry. They have demonstrated huge determination and passion to deliver a world class visitor attraction to the city of Hull. This person s vision has continuously driven the attraction to develop and evolve to maintain its position as the UK s most successful Millennium Project. In 2014 they celebrated its busiest summer in over 10 years with the introduction of a colony of Gentoo penguins. And for the second year running there was a gong for Hull s Freedom Festival, named the best large tourism event. This major festival goes from strength to

3 strength with an ambitious programme and the largest parade Hull has ever seen. It s not surprising that numbers saw a 45 per cent increase on the previous year, said Mr Gray. THE RESULTS Remarkable Bed and Breakfast: The Wold Cottage, Wold Newton. Highly Commended: Dunedin Country House, Patrington Remarkable Hotel Accommodation: Beverley Tickton Grange. Highly Commended: Village Urban Resort, Hull Remarkable Food Producer: Wold Top Brewery, Hunmanby Grange Remarkable Sustainable Tourism Award: Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington Remarkable Visitor Attraction/Experience: Sewerby Hall and Gardens Remarkable Food Provider: Hull Pie Ltd, Hull Remarkable Self Catering Provider: Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges, Bishop Wilton Remarkable Small Tourism Event: Beverley Puppet Festival Remarkable Cuppa:. Highly Commended: Vanessa s Delicatessen and Cafe, Beverley. Remarkable Conference and Meeting Venue: Mercure Grange Park Hotel, Willerby Remarkable Pub: The Lion and Key, Hull Remarkable Restaurant of the Year, 1884 Dock Street Kitchen, Hull Remarkable Large Tourism Event: Freedom Festival, Hull East Yorkshire Passion Award: Colin Brown, chief executive officer, The Deep, Hull ADDITIONAL QUOTES to be attributed to the judges: The Wold Cottage: A bed and breakfast that was found to have the tranquillity of a bygone era, but is warm and friendly too. The bedrooms are superbly comfortable and the breakfast is a cornucopia of local food prepared with love. Beverley Tickton Grange: A Country House hotel that s a benchmark in the way they use delicious East Yorkshire food in their newly-created Hide Restaurant. Beautiful rooms, attentive service and bedrooms with more than a touch of individual luxury. Wold Top Brewery: A business that has become one of the North s leading breweries in the last 11 years. They market and distribute their quality ales regionally

4 and nationally and are even making inroads Internationally in Milan and Barcelona. A family business with a commitment to sustain, replenish and protect their beautiful surroundings. Broadgate Farm Cottages: The think Local approach is particularly commendable, with visitors being supplied with up-to-date information on the regions s environmental, cultural and heritage attractions and local services, to benefit the local economy and make their stays truly unforgettable. Sewerby Hall and Gardens: An attraction which recently celebrated its 300 th anniversary and has definitely stepped up a gear with an investment of 2.4 million which has now created a brilliant day out for the visitor. Hull Pie: Handmade in the future City of Culture, the Hull Pie is a very distinctive and delicious product using local produce wherever possible. A funky website, attractive packaging, three shops and now a dinky pale blue shed in the city centre selling take-away pies makes this a truly innovative contribution to the region s culinary diversity. Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges: The award goes to someone who, with her husband, took a gamble to start a business in the middle of nowhere and who has left no opportunity stone unturned in the venture. She has planted herbs for the guests, created a wellies store for anyone who forgets theirs and sells postcards and goodies to raise funds for the Local Wildlife Trust. A lovely peaceful location with views over the Wolds, the enthusiastic owners and team ensure a great stay in these wonderfully equipped lodges and two idyllic little shepherds huts for walkers and ramblers. Beverley Puppet Festival: Nearly 9,000 people attended in a remarkable event that has become the largest festival of its kind in the UK and the world. Wolds Village: A warm, friendly place - a little oasis on the crossroads.this could be a destination in its own right on the way to the coast and the Wolds, with a good selection of local produce and friendly prompt service. Mercure Grange Park: Conference staff showed excellent customer service and a real dedication to ensure that any event would be a great success. Lion & Key: Arguably the best and most extensive selection of local ales on offer across the whole East Riding and a great menu offering hearty pub grub and a warm welcoming atmosphere. Recent renovations have created a cosy new outdoor area for this Old Town gem Dock Street Kitchen: A remarkable welcoming city restaurant overlooking Hull Marina which befits the Hull UK City of Culture It s a cosmopolitan, buzzing exciting, modern restaurant in an historic dockside building. A great venue to enjoy great food and a lively atmosphere.

5 FINALISTS BY CATEGORY Remarkable Bed & Breakfast Village Farm Bed and Breakfast, Skipsea The Toll Cottage, Cottingham Dunedin Country House, Patrington Newbegin House, Beverley The Wold Cottage, Wold Newton Remarkable Conference & Meeting Venue Holiday Inn, Hull Marina Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel, Willerby Mercure Hull Royal Hotel, Ferensway, Hull The Spa, Bridlington Tiger Events - KC Stadium, Hull Remarkable Cuppa Drewton s Farm Shop, South Cave Kardomah94, Alfred Gelder Street, Hull T C Patisserie, Beverley Vanessa s Delicatessen & Cafe, Beverley Remarkable Food Producer T C Patisserie, Beverley Wold Top Brewery, Hunmanby Grange Great Newsome Brewery, South Frodingham, near Winestead Staal Smokehouse, Long Riston Mr Moo s Real Dairy Ice Cream, Skipsea Remarkable Pub The Black Boy, Hull The Railway, Cottingham The Black Horse, Little Weighton Lion and Key, Hull Goodmanham Arms, Goodmanham, near Market Weighton Wrygarth Inn, Great Hatfield Remarkable Food Provider

6 William s Farm Kitchen, Freeport, Hornsea Hull Pie Limited, Hull Drewton s Farm Shop, South Cave Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School, Southburn, near Driffield Vanessa s Delicatessen & Cafe, Beverley Remarkable Hotel Accommodation Village Urban Resort, Hull, Priory Park, Hull Beverley Tickton Grange, Tickton Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel, Willerby Mercure Hull Royal Hotel, Ferensway, Hull Remarkable Large Tourism Event (over 20,000 people) Freedom Festival, Hull Humber Street Sesh, Hull Summer Exhibition 2014, Ferens Art Gallery, Hull Driffield Show Hull Veterans Weekend Beverley Festival of Christmas Remarkable Small Tourism Event (under 20,000 people) Christmas Festival of Food & Drink, Beverley Adelphi 30th Anniversary, Hull Follow the Herring community arts event, Hull Beverley Georgian Festival Beverley Puppet Festival Beverley Races Ladies Day Remarkable Restaurant of the Year 1884 Dock Street Kitchen, Hull The Nancy Inn, Burton Pidsea The Star, Sancton Hide Restaurant, Beverley Tickton Grange, Tickton Remarkable Self Catering Provider Estate Escapes, Hotham Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges, Bishop Wilton

7 Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington Raywell Hall Country Lodge Park, Raywell Field House Farm Cottages, Sewerby High Barn Cottages, Bempton Remarkable Sustainable Tourism Award High Barn Cottages, Bempton Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington Remarkable Visitor Attraction/Experience Burnby Hall Gardens and Museum, Pocklington One Stop Golf, National Avenue, Hull Ferens Art Gallery, Hull Bondville Model Village, Sewerby, Bridlington Sewerby Hall and Gardens For press enquiries, please contact Roy Woodcock on or or Andy Gray, VHEY Tourism Manager on or