News Article

North East England Simply the Best

North East England’s tourist industry was recognised as among the best in the country last night, with all five finalists at the English Tourism ‘Oscars’ taking home awards.

Seafield Caravan Park at Seahouses in Northumberland and Matfen Hall Hotel Golf Spa, near Newcastle, were both gold winners at the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence held at Madame Tussauds last night. North East England also picked up silver awards in three other categories.

The Northumberland House, in Longhoughton near Alnwick was recognised in the self-catering category and Neville Hails, who works at Newcastle’s Discovery Museum, took the Silver award for outstanding customer service.

Matfen Hall, which was nominated in two categories, was named best large hotel in the country with judges commenting; “Matfen Hall meets every expectation of an outstanding large hotel while managing to retain great attention to detail. It was also given Silver for the Business Tourism Award”.
On hearing that they had been awarded the gold award for the best large hotel,  David Hunter, Director and General Manager of Matfen Hall said: "I am absolutely delighted.  This is a huge accolade not just for Matfen Hall, but for all of our staff, the owners and for the North East region as a whole.

“ We always try to address the needs of our customers. Our committed and enthusiastic team of staff work hard at providing facilities and services that match the highest standards of customer care."

Describing why he felt the judges had given the hotel this prestigious award, Mr  Hunter said that individuality is at the root of its success.  "We may have won "Best Large Hotel," however the Hotel has retained its old identity,” he said.

“Often when hotels become large they lose their unique, personal feel.”Mr Hunter puts the winning formula down to meeting customer perceptions and needs, and meeting the requirements of individual markets. As a result, the hotel is extremely proud of the high levels of repeat business and recommendations."

It’s a unique double for Matfen Hall which was named “Best Small Hotel of the year” in 2002 before expansion led to it moving up into the large hotel category.

Seafield Caravan Park, Seahouses, Northumberland, was the winner of the Caravan Holiday Park of the Year. The popular family run caravan park has seen an increase in members since the opening of a new £2.5 million leisure club last year.

Delighted park owner Ken Britton said: “This is a great accolade for us, and we are thrilled to have won this award, which more than justifies our financial investment. However, we must give credit to the great team who work with us at Seafield Park, without whom we would not have achieved the standards required to put us in the running for this award.

“It is also a huge achievement for our area, where the traditional farming and fishing industries are giving way to tourism and leisure activities.

“Working and living on one of the most beautiful stretches of Britain’s coastline, with the advantage of Holy Island, the Farnes, Bamburgh Castle and Alnwick Castle on our doorstep, makes us a great starting point for holidays.

“We care very much about our part of England and are proud to be able to share it with our park visitors from the UK and abroad. To be presented with this award from the ‘Enjoy England’ judges, is perfectly timed to coincide with our current regional ‘Passionate Places, Passionate People’ campaign. It’s wonderful!”

John Holmes, Director of Regeneration and Tourism at One North East, said; “I am absolutely delighted to be celebrating the success of this year’s winners, all of which are richly deserved. It shows that visitors to North East England have the choice of some of the best accommodation in the country.

“Matfen Hall and Seafield Caravan Park rightly deserve their gold awards but there is also real strength in depth across the region. This year has seen us recognised in five categories, the biggest success North East England has ever had, which reflects the increasing quality and excellence across the region’s tourism industry.

“We are now looking for entries for this year’s North East England tourism awards, the winners of which will represent us at next year’s awards. It doesn’t matter how big or small your business is, we’re looking to promote the best tourism businesses across the region.”

Anyone interested in entering the North East England Tourism Awards 2006 should contact janet.smith@onenortheast.co.uk or call 0191 229 6842 for an application pack.  The closing date for entries is 30 June 2006.

For more information on the awards please contact: Stuart Boyd, press office, One North East on Tel: (0191) 2296428
e-mail : stuart.boyd@onenortheast.co.uk

Notes to editors:
1. Since 1999 the Agency has created/safeguarded 86,607jobs, helped 17, 029 business start-ups and established businesses with specific projects. It has also provided more than 25,821 learning opportunities last year alone. Aimed at adults who are economically active, these opportunities include workplace training courses, home learning and any programme of over 30 hours in length that can help an individual improve their job or career prospects and improve the contribution they make to their business.

2. During the financial year 2004/5 the Agency offered 24 firms £6.995million in Regional Selective Assistance funding – if the grant offers are accepted they will create 1,184 jobs and safeguard a further 640. The grants will encourage the firms to invest £56.833 million into their businesses. RSA Grants have been replaced by the DTI with a new investment product the SFI – Selective Finance for Investment. The new grant will target high productivity, highly skilled projects building on the existing RSA criteria of job creation and retention. During 2004/5 the Agency offered 96 firms £17.143 million in SFI funding – if the grant offers are accepted they will create 2,818 jobs and safeguard a further 1,572. The grants will encourage the firms to invest £122.554 million into their businesses.

3. One North East works to improve the conditions for businesses in order that they thrive in the region, grow and create jobs. Good transport links, access to the latest technology, research and development, well-trained staff and sound, simple business support are the key issues that affect the business climate - these are the issues that One North East is charged with tackling.

4. One North East is now the Region’s strategic lead agency on: Urban and rural regeneration, Business support, Tourism, Research and Development, Skills and education and ICT and new technologies.

5. One North East is leading the regional image campaign for North East England. The campaign harnesses the region’s best assets to position North East England as a great place to do business, live, work, study and visit. Aiming to create strong and positive new perceptions about the North East regionally, nationally and internationally, the "Passionate People. Passionate Places" campaign features the very best the region has to offer through its people and the key areas of history and heritage, coast and countryside, city culture and innovative business. For more information please visit www.northeastengland.co.uk