Stuart GouldenOver 450 guests celebrated at 15th Visit York Tourism Awards ceremony, hosted by BBC Presenter Phil Bodmer at the National Railway Museum, last night.
Professional footballer turned BnB owner Marco Gabbiadini and his wife Deborah were celebrating with the other twelve winning businesses and the new York Ambassador.
After more than 750 match appearances with York City, Sunderland, Northampton Town, Derby County, Darlington, Hartlepool United, and Crystal Palace, Marco retired from his football career in 2004 to run Bishops guest house, a beautifully restored Victorian townhouse in York. Six restaurants battled it out too for the people’s choice ‘Taste of York’ title, which was presented to El Piano restaurant, on Grape Lane – the only award voted for by the public during a two month promotion on social media. All other winners were decided for by mystery shopping visits, with this year’s hotly contested ‘Hotel of the Year’ accolade going to Middlethorpe Hall & Spa.
Two York individuals were also recognised in the roll of honour this year with Shirley Fletcher from the Hilton hotel receiving the Outstanding Customer Service award and Alan Rowley, from Complete Yorkshire, scooping the title of Employee of the Year.
This year’s esteemed title of Ambassador was awarded to Ian Reed, Director at the Yorkshire Air Museum.
For over 12 years, Ian Reed has dedicated himself to transforming the Yorkshire Air Museum & Allied Air Forces Memorial into a dynamic and top quality attraction that has won numerous York / Yorkshire Tourism industry and other awards. Ian has had a special interest in fostering ever closer links with the French veterans association, Groups Lourdes and the French Air Force over the past few years. Ian generated the idea to inaugurate a Memorial to the French Squadrons in York Minster, which came to fruition on October 20th last year and became the “French In York “Festival. Significant French dignitaries included the French Ambassador, Bernard Emie, and the Chief of the French Air Force, General Jean Paul Paloméros, who has now become a Vice President of the Allied Air Forces Memorial.
Through Ian’s assistance, a number of fascinating new documentaries about the French Squadrons, and the people involved in them, have been produced, which is still further firing the imagination and interest from younger generations. The latest of these documentaries has recently won the prestigious Imperial War Museum Film Festival Award, beating off competition from over 40 nominations. All this activity is really putting York firmly ‘on the map’ for French visitors, providing a vehicle for the city to develop and explore other historic links with France, but it would not have happened but for Ian Reed’s vision and determination.
Speaking about York’s new Tourism Ambassador, Gillian Cruddas MBE, Chief Executive of Visit York said, ‘Ian has worked tirelessly over the last twenty years to promote York across the globe. He is always brimming with enthusiasm and imagination. The French in York event last year would not have happened without his dedication and vision to bring something different to the city.’
Gillian continued: ‘Despite a challenging economic climate, it is encouraging to see so many businesses and individuals go the extra mile to ensure York continues to go from strength to strength as a world-renowned visitor destination.‘
The 2012 Visit York Tourism Awards winners and finalists are as follows:
Guest Accommodation of the Year
Sponsored by CHOCOLATE – York’s Sweet Story
Winner:
Bishops
Finalists:
Carlton House
The Coach House Hotel
Warrens
Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Yorkshire Laundry Services
Winner:
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa
Finalists:
Best Western Plus Dean Court Hotel
The Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa
Hotel Du Vin
York Marriott Hotel
Self Catering/Caravan Park of the Year
Sponsored by Webmart
Winner:
Dovecote Barns
Finalists:
The Hop Store
The Riverside York
The Old Brewery
Robin Hood Caravan and Camping Park
Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Deans Computer Services
Winner:
The Golden Fleece
Finalists:
The Old White Swan
The Royal Oak
The Three Tuns
The Black Swan
Outstanding Customer Service Award
Sponsored by Welcometraining
Winner:
Shirley Fletcher, Hilton York
Finalists:
Matthew Greenwood, Exploring York
Rebecca and Damian Palmer-Bunting, Robin Hood Caravan & Camping Park
Yorkboat ‘Shipshape’ Team
York Maze Team
Business Tourism Award
Sponsored by Saville Audio Visual
Winner:
York Marriott Hotel
Finalists:
Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa
York Conferences at the University of York
York Racecourse
Marketing Campaign of the Year
Sponsored by Leeds Bradford International Airport
Winner:
York Maze
Finalists:
Illuminating York Festival
Pilgrim PR/Skelwith Group/Raithwaite Hall Country Retreat – Grand Opening
York Museums Trust – Art in Yorkshire
Employee of the Year
Sponsored by Marks & Spencer
Winner:
Alan Rowley, Complete Yorkshire
Finalists:
Andrew Hunt, Holiday Inn York
David Barker, Middlethorpe Hall & Spa
Rita Ridgeon, York Theatre Royal
Best Shopping Experience
Sponsored by East Coast
Winner:
The Hairy Fig
Finalists:
The Balloon Tree Farm Shop & Café
Hotel Chocolat
Now and Then Events – York Does Vintage
York Designer Outlet
Visitor Attraction of the Year (under 50,000 visitors)
Sponsored by Guestlink
Winner:
The Ice Factor
Finalists:
Barley Hall
Breezy Knees
Quilt Museum & Gallery
The Web Adventure Park
Visitor Attraction of the Year (50,000 visitors & over)
Sponsored by FR Fowler & Son
Winner:
York Racecourse 2011 Season
Highly Commended:
York Dungeon
Finalists:
Jorvik Viking Centre
York Art Gallery
York Maze
Taste of York – The People’s Choice Award
Sponsored by Morrell Middleton
Winner:
El Piano
Finalists:
Akbar’s
Betty’s Café Tea Rooms
The Lime House
Melton’s
Rustique
York Ambassador
Sponsored by Beacon Publishing
Ian Reed, Yorkshire Air Museum
