News Article

North East England has received five nominations for a prestigious national tourism award.

The Old School B&B, Newton-on-the-Moor, near Alnwick,; The North Music Trust, based at The SageGateshead; Sunderland Football Club; Doxford Cottages, near Alnwick, and Hunting Hall, Beal, near Berwick-Upon-Tweed, have all been shortlisted for the 2010 Enjoy England Awards For Excellence.

The awards, known as the Oscars of the tourism industry, are organised by VisitEngland and recognise tourism excellence in a number of areas. The finalists were selected by a board of tourism industry judges including the Gold winner of the hotel category in 2009, Sue William, and travel journalists Alison Rice and Sally Shalam.

The Old School B&B is going for Gold for the second year in a row at the national awards, which will be held on St George’s Day (April 23rd) in Brighton. Last year the five-star B&B won Gold for Best Tourism Website and this year they are hoping for first place in the Best B&B of the Year category.

Malcolm Downes, who runs the business with his wife Kath said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been nominated again for the national awards. We won silver in the Best B&B of the Year category in 2007 so we are hoping we can go one better this year.

“Awards such as these really help to raise the profile of a business and it is a fantastic accolade for us and the other regional businesses nominated.”

Sunderland Football Club will be fighting it out in the Business Tourism Award alongside ExCel London and Brunel’s ss Great Britain in Bristol. Steve Walton, Sunderland AFC’s chief executive, said: “Sunderland Football Club is not just about what happens on the pitch. Our business operation is a vital part of the club, generating significant revenue streams to support our on-field activity.

“To be nominated for this award is a fantastic achievement and recognition for our employees throughout the organisation, who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Their hard work ensures that the club is performing to its very best in every operation and across each and every department.”

The nominated businesses were selected from 15 winners at this year’s North East England Tourism Awards, organised by Regional Development Agency One North East, held last October.

Stacy Hall, Director of Communications & Tourism at One North East said: “It is fantastic to see so many tourism businesses from the region receiving national recognition, demonstrating the quality and diversity of choice in North East England.

“The region has achieved great success from these awards previously with two gold winners last year –The Hytte self-catering cottage near Hexham and The Old School B&B .”

Geoff Hodgson, chairman of the North East Tourism Advisory Board said: “Quality tourism businesses are key to being a desirable visitor destination and these nominations are recognition that North East England’s are among the best in the country.

“The standard of entries in the North East England Tourism Awards get better and better every year so these businesses have already done well to get into the national finals. We wish everyone the best of luck in April.”

Giles Ingram, executive director at Northumberland Tourism said: “We're proud that Northumberland has done so well in the nominations, and in particular accommodation providers. The county continues to strive to offer visitors a unique and memorable stay and these businesses are just a snapshot of what we have to offer.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony on April 23rd at the Corn Exchange at The Brighton Dome.

For more information on where to stay and what to see and do in North East England go to www.visitnortheastengland.com

ENDS

PR CONTACT: Hayley Quarmby, PR Officer, 0191 229 6852, hayley.quarmby@onenortheast.co.uk