LINCOLNSHIRE BUSINESSES TRIUMPH AT TOURISM 'OSCARS'

Lincolnshire's tourism industry picked up four gold awards at yesterday evening's East Midlands Tourism Enjoy England Excellence Awards.  The county beat off stiff competition from across the region to take gold in the Self Catering Holiday, Taste of England, Think Family and Best Large Visitor attraction categories.

Said Penny Baker, Lincolnshire Tourism chief executive: “We want Lincolnshire to stand out in a crowded holiday marketplace and Lincolnshire Tourism believes the only way of doing that is by offering a quality, value for money visitor experience. Lincolnshire’s success with its four Gold awards is something that everyone who lives or does business within the county will really celebrate in style.”

GOLD AWARD WINNERS:

Best Self Catering Holiday
Louth's All Seasons Holidays won the gold award for Best Self Catering Holiday and a bronze in the Marketing Excellence and Best Tourism Website categories.  Judges praised the five-star apartments saying "It is clear that their policy is always to exceed expectations and as a result their business is growing by the day.", More Information about the Louths All Season Holidays>>>

Taste of England Award
Saxby Aberdeen Angus Beef Farm Shop was celebrating after winning the Taste of England award, which recognises businesses that use or make local produce and contribute to the long-term sustainability of the local community. The shop is on a 1,650 farm in Saxby, near Market Rasen, owned by the Neave family whom the judges said have "an outstanding commitment to excellence, all so clearly demonstrated by their customer care, their love of the environment and their commitment to their livestock."

Region's Large Visitor Attraction
One of the county's newest tourist sights also collected gold. Lincoln museum The Collection was named as the region's Large Visitor Attraction, the judges noting that: "the quality of interpretation and the excellent staff have a lasting impression on the visitor's experience. It is a museum that has resonance with both local people and a wider audience and the changing programme means it is a museum that you could visit again and again."

Think Family Trophy
Lincolnshire's final gold went to Butlins in Skegness which claimed the inaugural Think Family trophy, a new award introduced to recognise businesses that have successfully addressed the changing needs of the family market. The company was praised not just for customer-friendly initiatives such as its "five a day campaign" which encourages youngsters to eat healthily, but also for investing in a crèche and school holiday club to enable parents to return to work.

Best Tourism Website
Hillcrest Hotel, Lincoln, More Information about the Hillcrest Hotel>>>

Think Family

• Rand Park Farm, Lincoln
• Belton House in Grantham is the crowning achievement of Restoration country house architecture

Self Catering Holiday
Elms Farm Cottages is a new conversion of barns into eight quality properties all surrounding a central non-vehicular paved courtyard, which has a communal seating area and barbeque facilities. All the cottages are ground floor with two bedrooms and have fully equipped kitchens. An open plan style kitchen/dining/living room is a common feature throughout and they are furnished to a high standard with wooden floors. A number of the cottages have excellent facilities for either the elderly or disabled. The well equipped cottages will ensure an enjoyable and relaxing stay and a complimentary 'Tastes of Lincolnshire' welcome pack of local seasonal products is placed in weekly let cottages.
More about Elms Farm Cottages >>>

BRONZE AWARD WINNERS:

Marketing Excellence & Best Tourism Website
Louth's All Seasons Holidays , Louth

Self Catering Holiday
Enfield Farm Cottages, Fulstow, Near Louth

Large Visitor Attraction
Belvoir Castle