Terry's could find a new use boosting business tourism, says DAVID ANDREWS, chief executive of the York-based Yorkshire Tourist Board.

NO ONE wants to see the demise of Terry's chocolate factory in York - all power to the Evening Press campaign to save it - but harsh business reality suggests that eventually it will close... and then?

No doubt the scramble has already begun by developers to change the rules so that lucrative luxury housing can be built on that prime site, but I can think of a better idea - one that will give tourism a big boost in the city.

Why not carefully adapt all those wonderful Terrys buildings to turn them into a dedicated conference or exhibition centre?

Not only will it spin quite a few new jobs in its own right - going with the grain of the existing planning designation for employment use - but it will also meet a huge need.

Business tourism is an area of great opportunity for York, a growth industry which in the past we have not had the resources to exploit fully.

Of course, York is already a popular venue for conferences, but limited capacity is holding it back. York's structural development is often inhibited by its history and heritage and it is disadvantaged in its lack of a dedicated conference or exhibition venue.

Yet recent research by Ernst & Young on behalf of Yorkshire Forward, the regional development agency, includes York as one of the six key destinations for business tourism in the Yorkshire region because of its high profile and future development opportunities.

No-one needs to convince me of how valuable is the Terry's site right next to Knavesmire. From my desk I have a perfect view of the same York Racecourse.

As it happens over the past few weeks I've watched the work undertaken to modify the track in readiness to host Royal Ascot next year.

It is a constant reminder of what a wonderful opportunity this most prestigious event on the sporting calendar will afford the city. Royal Ascot has cachet; exudes excellence.

And excellence, please note for all who are considering Terry's future, is something we do well in Yorkshire.

JUST how well can be seen in VisitBritain's St George's Day announcement that Yorkshire establishments have been awarded national tourism "Oscars" in five of the ten categories in the Excellence in England Awards - more than any other region in England.

The highest accolades, Gold Awards, went to Swinton Park near Ripon for small hotel of the year, Far Grange Caravan Park near Skipsea for caravan park of the year and Thackray Museum, Leeds, for attraction of the year (under 100,000 visitors.)

Silver Awards also came Yorkshire's way, for Pickering Tourist Information Centre and Shoreline Cottages. Tomorrow tourism businesses throughout the region will converge - fittingly - at York Racecourse for the annual Yorkshire Tourism Conference organised by Yorkshire Tourist Board. How to improve is high on the agenda.

Interest is firmly focused on the Review of Roles and Responsibilities being undertaken by Yorkshire Forward. It is hoped that in his address to conference Richard Gregory, deputy chairman of Yorkshire Forward will give the industry some inkling of how the regional development agency sees the future structure of tourism development and strategy delivery.

Business managers may think that what they are doing is an improvement, but the ultimate judge is the consumer and the ultimate proof is improved business.

One of the best guides a consumer has to the quality of a product is recommendation and an independent accolade is an excellent recommendation. That is where industry awards prove quite literally their weight in Gold.

Updated: 13:34 Tuesday, April 27, 2004