Sweet 16 win tourism 'Oscars'

The tourism awards, sponsored by Arriva Trains Northern, were handed out to the 16 deserving winners by Yorkshire Television's Christine Talbot, presenter for Calendar.

York TV presenter Jack Weatherall co-hosted the proceedings at the city's showbiz-style ceremony. Newcomers on the restaurant scene, the Lime House scooped the much-coveted award of Best Restaurant and relatively new to York's retail scene, the winners of the Best Shop Award, were Jez and Hiromi Willard from the Japanese Shop in Coppergate.

The highly-prized Ambassador Award went to York's resident Roman tour guide, Maximus Gluteus, otherwise known as Keith Mulhearn.

A builder by day, Keith has such a passion for all things Roman he set himself up as a tour guide a few years ago and was the brains and organisation behind York's first Roman Festival in July.

Keith was praised by the judges for his motivation and enthusiasm in going that extra mile to promote the city of York.

The Evening Press's website, www.thisisyork.co.uk, was a runner-up in the awards.

To select the category winners, an independent panel of judges looked at hundreds of individual letters of praise from visiting customers. Gillian Cruddas, Chief Executive of York Tourism Bureau said: "The awards recognise those businesses that offer their customers outstanding service.

They reflect the high quality of customer care that is given to visitors - an essential ingredient for encouraging tourists to come back again and again."

Dyan Crowther, new managing director of main sponsor Arriva Trains Northern, said: "We are delighted to be able to support the tourism awards as they showcase the outstanding efforts of a wide range of businesses - and individuals - to keep York a top tourist attraction. We work hard to attract people into the city by rail so that they can enjoy the excellent services and facilities these award winners provide."

And The Winners Are...

Guest House (sponsored by Barry Crux and company): Winner - Arnot House.

Arnot House is a lovely Victorian house furnished with antiques and original paintings. It was the attention to detail that put Arnot House first for the Guest House of the Year award. Guests commented on "the excellent breakfasts, friendly service and spotlessly clean and comfortable rooms."

As one guest put it: "York is an enchanting place and Arnot House made our stay even more memorable".

Runners-up: Beech House, Farthings Guest House, Midway House.

Self-Catering/Caravan Site (sponsored by the York Tourist Information Centres): Winner - Robin Hood Caravan and Camping Park.

Robin Hood Caravan and Camping Park, at Slingsby, received many letters of praise from its satisfied customers.

The owners were praised for going out of their way to accommodate and help guests.

Linda Garten from Hull praised the couple for offering them a lift to the Last Night of the Proms at Castle Howard when all attempts to book a taxi had failed.

Runners-up: The Penthouse at Westgate, Griffon Forest.

Hotel (sponsored by Coppergate Shopping Centre): Winner - The York Hilton.

General manager, Anthony Worrall can be duly proud of his team at the Hilton. Guests showered the hotel team with compliments and congratulated staff on their professionalism.

Runners-up: Dean Court Hotel, Monkbar Hotel, Holiday Inn.

Conference Venue (sponsored by Saville Audio Visual): Winner - Monkbar Hotel.

The Monkbar Hotel has made a substantial investment in the development of a new executive training suite designed by conference professionals themselves. The hotel constantly receives the highest accolades for the quality of service and care that the team offers. As one happy customer put it 'they achieve precisely the right balance of genuine customer service'.

Runners-up: The Grange Hotel, York Marriott, York Moat House, National Centre for Early Music.

Shop (sponsored by Jespers): Winner - The Japanese Shop.

The Japanese Shop was created as a result of the fabulous reaction that Jez and Hiromi Willard received from friends and family for the gifts given to them when the pair returned home to Jez's native Yorkshire from Osaka. The couple met while Jez was working in Japan. The shop offers a personal service to customers, selling beautiful authentic Japanese gifts.

Runners-up: Fenwicks, Hobbs.

Restaurant (sponsored by Morrell Middleton): Winner - The Lime House.

Catherine and Adam Fisher have created a special reputation for excellence in their popular restaurant, which offers outstanding food and wine complemented by welcoming staff, soft candlelight and a relaxed atmosphere. One satisfied customer wrote: "You and your merry band of staff deserve a pat on the back for such excellent work. Thank you for making our 11th wedding anniversary weekend such a memorable one."

Runners-up: Sangthai Restaurant, Rish.

Small Attraction (sponsored by North Wolds Printers): Winner - The Treasurer's House.

This is one of York's hidden gems. Originally the Minster treasurer lived on this site and it was his responsibility to run the Minster efficiently. Mr Oxley, from Darlington, wrote to say: "Of every National Trust property we have ever visited the Treasurers' House beats them all hands down for the sheer welcoming manner and enthusiasm of the staff."

Runners-up: Merchant Adventurers' Hall, Roamin' Tours.

Out-of-town Attraction (sponsored by The First Stop York Tourism Partnership): Winner - Newby Hall.

The family home of Mr and Mrs Richard Compton, Newby Hall is one of England's renowned Adam houses, an exceptional example of 18th century interior decoration, restored to its original beauty. Customers congratulated Newby Hall on the efficiency of its staff, both front of house and behind the scenes. All staff were praised for being inspiring, friendly and helpful.

Runners-up: Castle Howard, World of James Herriot.

Large Attraction (sponsored by GNER) Winner - Jorvik

Jorvik is a jewel in the crown of York's visitor attractions. Staff were praised by Cheryl Jones, from Manchester, for their "friendly and efficient" handling of a crisis when her daughter fainted while visiting Jorvik. Fortunately, it was not the smell of the Vikings that caused the fainting attack but the beginnings of chicken pox! Many schools also applauded Jorvik's staff who were praised for capturing the attention of pupils with their expert knowledge and enthusiasm.

Runners-up: National Railway Museum, York Minster, Yorkshire Air Museum.

Festival/Entertainment (sponsored by Wallace Arnold Tours): Winner - York Early Music Foundation for its York Early Music Festival.

From its small beginnings in 1997 the Early Music Festival has grown to become internationally renowned as one of the leading festivals of its kind in the country, attracting audiences and artists from all over the world. This year's festival was a celebration of 600 years of English music and also featured community and educational events, including a workshop for people of all ages and abilities. Judges praised the way in which the festival involved new young talent and festival goers complimented the organisers for creating a family type of atmosphere. The team of volunteer staff was also praised.

Runner-up: York Barbican Centre for its World Snooker Championships.

Newcomer (sponsored by Great Potential): Winner - York's Maize Maze

In July 2002, York farmer Tom Pearcy decided to diversify into tourism. He hit upon the bright idea of growing a maize maze. Carved out of an a-maizing 1.5 million growing maize plants, York Maze is believed to be one of the world's largest. The maze is a fun challenge for all ages, and visitors get the chance not just to try out the maze but also to meet the cows that eat the maize - and try their ice cream. One happy customer wrote in to say: "York's Maize Maze is a wonderful day out, helped by the excellent facilities and warm and friendly nature of your team, Bravo Tom!"

Runners-up: The Japanese Shop, The Bay Tree Guest House, Apple House.

Website (sponsored by York TV): Winner - Yorkboat for www.yorkboat.co.uk.

A panel of judges found the Yorkboat site to be highly informative, which was well presented and provideed the visitor with good functionality, including an easy-to-use single navigation template ensuring navigation is simple and fast loading. The site also offers the latest secure on-line ticket purchasing facility and online bookings have tripled since this was introduced. Yorkboat's site has been used as a DTI case study to inspire other businesses to also adopt e-commerce strategies.

Runners-up: www.ncem.co.uk, www.thisisyork.co.uk, www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk, www.yorkmysteryplays.org

Tourism For All (sponsored by the University of York) - Winner - The Merchant Adventurers' Hall.

The splendidly-named merchant adventurers were one of medieval York's most prestigious guilds. These were the overseas traders, the men who helped make the city rich, and their guildhall reflects their exalted status. The building is one of the best preserved of its kind in Europe, and has stood largely untouched for over 600 years. The Merchant Adventurers' Hall provided evidence showing an outstanding commitment to both service standards and customer care. The recent extensive alterations to this historic building have been thoughtfully considered and successfully carried out.

All visitors, whatever their disability, can now easily access most of the hall and its collections, making this a truly deserving winner of the Tourism for All Award 2003.

Runners-up: Castle Howard, Shopmobility, York Theatre Royal.

Marketing Campaign (sponsored by York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce): Winner - The National Railway Museum.

The National Railway Museum seems to pick up an award at this event every year. Its campaign, entitled The Story Of The Train, aimed to increase visitor numbers over the long term by positioning the museum as a great family day out and developing a core museum brand.The National Railway Museum had to convince its audience that the museum was something more than just a "shed full of trains". Visitor numbers have increased by 63 per cent year on year from 500,000 in 2001/02 to 800,000 in 2002/03.

Runners-up: York Museums Trust, Roamin' Tours.

Travel Journalist (sponsored by York Tourism Bureau): Winner - Katie Wood, Travel Editor, the Daily Star.

Judge of this award was Evening Press Assitant Editor Bill Hearld. Bill said: "Here is a writer who is genuinely fond of York, has obviously visited many times and seems to know the place inside out. She packs her article with an A to Z of facts about the city and warmly urges people to return - again and again."

Ambassador for York (sponsored by Arriva Trains Northern). Winner - Keith Mulhearn.

A builder by trade, Keith entered the world of tourism by setting himself up two years ago as York's resident Roman tour guide, Maximus Gluteus. His Roamin' Tours have been a great success and such is Keith's passion for the Roman history of York that last year he introduced York's first Roman Festival in July. Constantine was first proclaimed emperor by the men of the 6th Legion while here in York and Keith organised the festival to mark this historic event with a weekend of activities, highlighting the city's marvellous Roman heritage. The judges were impressed by Keith's amazing enthusiasm for York and his willingness to go that extra mile to spread the word about the city, going well beyond the call of duty.

Updated: 14:16 Friday, November 14, 2003