REYTA 2019 - TOURISM AWARD WINNERS

Hull and East Yorkshire’s very own tourism “Oscars” culminated in a triumphant and glittering awards evening attended by more than 500 people at the Bonus Arena in Hull last night (Thursday, March 14).

There was fierce competition for this year’s Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (the REYTAs), in this, the tenth year they have been organised by Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY).

Andy Gray, VHEY’s tourism manager, described it as “a remarkable event to celebrate a remarkable industry which contributes over £878 million annually to the Hull and East Yorkshire economy.”

There were 72 finalists competing in last night's categories, which recognise the best individuals, attractions and hospitality businesses in the area's tourism industry. And in addition to the awards presented, the REYTAs are aligned to the Visit England awards, giving winners the chance of national honours.

The REYTAs wouldn’t happen without the support of the sponsors, who include the Bonus Arena, Strawberry Marketing, of Hull, The Deep, St Stephen’s Shopping Centre, Hospitality Staffing, Wykeland, VIP Worldwide, Hull Daily Mail, Bridlington Tourism Association, the East Yorkshire Local Food Network, East Riding of Yorkshire Rural Partnership, Sparq and Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges, of Bishop Wilton.

Visit Hull and East Yorkshire (VHEY) is a partnership between East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Hull City Council and the many private sector businesses within the tourism industry.

Councillor Dave Craker, portfolio holder for culture, leisure and tourism at Hull City Council, said: “Each year the REYTAs celebrate the outstanding businesses and organisations that make our region such a remarkable place to visit and enjoy.

“Congratulations to all the winners and nominees who continue to fly the flag for Hull and East Yorkshire.”

Alan Menzies, director of planning and economic regeneration at East Riding of Yorkshire Council said: "The Remarkable East Yorkshire Tourism Awards (REYTAs) celebrate the very best of what this local industry has to offer and recognises the quality of businesses and individuals involved.”

He continued: ”The REYTAs are one of the most eagerly anticipated awards ceremonies on the tourism calendar and I would like to think all those who entered the 2019 awards, commend those short-listed in each of the categories and congratulate the winners."

THE AWARDS

There were major high spots throughout the evening; not least the last award of the evening, the Passion Award, chosen by the VHEY Board to honour the person making a significant contribution to tourism in Hull and East Yorkshire. It went to Graham Chester, who was described as “one of Hull’s greatest assets - a remarkable man”.

In inviting Hull City councillor David Craker and East Riding of Yorkshire councillor Richard Burton on stage to present the award, MC Blair Jacobs, of BBC Radio Humberside, said Mr Chester was an “unsung hero in so many ways”.

He said: “He has given up hours, weeks, months and years of his life to champion culture in Hull on a voluntary basis.  He has written so articulately about the city and been a key press commentator in print, on radio and TV.”

Mr Chester was described as someone who had made a “massive contribution” in promoting poet Philip Larkin through the Larkin Society, Larkin 25 and other events and, as chair of the Freedom Festival, had “created a calendar event for Hull, Yorkshire and the UK, championing Hull’s important historical contribution to freedom and the abolition of slavery”.

Tributes were also paid by Mikey Martins, artistic director and joint CEO of the Freedom Festival, who said Mr Chester had been “a huge inspiration and an extraordinary support and constant inspiration” to him as well as a pivotal influence on his career.

Supported on the evening was this year’s chosen charity, the Smile by the Sea Foundation, which benefitted from money raised from a raffle. Also celebrating 10 years since it was launched, the charity has supported numerous families, individuals and voluntary groups.

A Smile by the Sea break allows a wide range of people in need to access suitable breaks as and when required. Charities across the region are able to nominate their beneficiaries for a break where they can rest, recuperate and create special memories.

THE RESULTS

Remarkable Bed & Breakfast - The Toll Cottage, Cottingham

Remarkable Business Tourism Award - Beyond Events, Hull University

Remarkable Cuppa - Vanessa Delicatessen & Cafe, Beverley.

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Nibble@The Dock, Hull

Remarkable Food Experience - Hotham’s Gin School and Distillery, Hull

Remarkable Holiday Park/Holiday Village - Patrington Haven Leisure Park

Remarkable Hotel - Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel, Willerby

Remarkable Newcomer - Beverley Minster House

Remarkable Pub - The Lion & Key, Hull

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Ship Inn, Sewerby

Remarkable Restaurant - Tapasya@Marina, Hull

Remarkable Self-Catering Provider/Property - Kingfisher Lakes Glamping, Brandesburton

Remarkable Taste of East Yorkshire - Atom Brewing Co., Hull

Remarkable Tourism Event - Humber Street Sesh, Hull

Remarkable Visitor Attraction/Experience - RSPB Bempton Cliffs

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Hull Truck Theatre

Remarkable East Yorkshire Passion Award - Graham Chesters

QUOTES about the winners/highly commended to be attributed to the judges:

The Toll Cottage:  Luxury in the heart of Cottingham where you are greeted by a cheery host Elaine and the flapjack! The Toll Cottage is luxury boutique B&B accommodation situated in the heart of Cottingham. It's ideally positioned as a location to visit Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire, Guests enjoy the run of the cottage during their stay which includes a large and comfortable living area, gardens and courtyard area, which are particularly popular during the summer months.

Beyond Events: 

Beyond Events, launched in 2018, brings together the University of Hull's conference and events provision under one distinctive brand. This includes stunning venues, contemporary accommodation and excellent sports and leisure facilities, all complemented by a full event management service.   Beyond Events is the standout destination for events and conferencing in Yorkshire - a bold, unique business of the University that goes above and beyond expectation to deliver an exceptional experience to a wide range of clients and guests.

Vanessa Delicatessen: Established six years ago, in a beautiful, quirky, historic building overlooking the lovely market town of Beverley. Unique because it’s also a farm shop in a town setting. In the cafe the menu offers a huge choice, based on local produce, well served by attentive and friendly staff. It ticks all the boxes.

Nibble: A cosy eatery located in the regenerated dry dock in the Fruit Market. They are open seven days a week serving the very best local produce, all freshly made by their wonderful kitchen team. Nibble is the type of place you can relax, have attentive service and sample home baked delights from the counter or order from their ever-changing menu and specials boards.

Hotham’s Gin School: A unique and thriving business founded in January 2018 by Emma Kinton and Simon Pownall and located in the beautiful Hepworth’s Arcade in Hull’s Old Town. They welcome guests for an exciting and interactive experience including creating their very own bottle of gin to take away and enjoy.

Patrington Haven Leisure Park: East Yorkshire’s premier owners-only holiday park that prides itself on fairness and family values and puts the customer at the heart of everything. Open 364 days a year. Whether it's a workout, a drink with friends or a relaxing spa treatment, The Country Club at Patrington Haven Leisure Park has something for everyone.

Mercure Hull Grange Park, Willerby: A 4-Star establishment that’s excellent, warm and welcoming and friendly throughout. Spectacular leisure facilities include a gym, pool, sauna, steam room and Jacuzzi.

Beverley Minster House: Opened this summer after an 18-month renovation, this former art gallery is now a 5-star Grade II-listed Georgian self-catering holiday home lying in the shadow of historic Beverley Minster. This iconic position in one of the oldest parts of Beverley allows guests to explore the town’s many attractions and amenities, all within a few minutes’ walk.

The Lion & Key: The Lion & Key is an independently-run traditional pub in the heart of Hull's Old Town, owned and operated by Alan Murphy and Chrissy Fleming, who both came to Hull in the early 2000s. Since they took the pub over in 2009, they have transformed it from an Irish Bar to the traditional, welcoming pub that it is today. Attracting a wide range of customers due to its vast selection of different drinks and choice of home-cooked meals.

The Ship Inn, Sewerby: Situated in a unique location on the footsteps of the heritage coast and boasting views of Bridlington Bay and Flamborough, it is Bridlington's original dog friendly pub, famous for its dog friendly treats and menu.  The Ship Inn serves award-winning cask ales, fine wines and gin-inspired cocktails. The menu is “pub grub with a twist” and the Sunday carvery is always a winner.

Tapasya@Marina: An all-round dining experience, demonstrating a passion for the industry. Creative menus, well-presented quality food and excellent customer service by all the team members. Every element of each dish is treated with respect and care to ensure a sumptuous dining experience.

Kingfisher Lakes Glamping, Brandesburton: A family-run glamping site on a working potato farm. The site can now accommodate up to 34 people - it’s nestled between idyllic lakes, providing each unit with a stunning waterside view, as well as hours of fun spent kayaking, fishing or wildlife-watching. 2018 saw them triple their guest numbers, establishing themselves as a popular, unique accommodation provider.

Atom Brewing Co.: An imaginative and artisan business with a global reputation for producing award-winning beers, they have been combining passion for science and education with a mission to create flavour-forward beers since 2014.

Humber Street Sesh: The Humber Street Sesh started in 2012, located in a few warehouses in Humber Street, and has now evolved into a full weekend event. In 2018 the festival extended its footprint to incorporate Humber Quays and Island Wharf, West Marina, with an estimated attendance around 35,000. It is a much-loved event, attracting all ages from the region and further afield. Hull’s biggest and fastest developing outdoor music festival and a very worthy winner in a very competitive category.

RSPB Bempton Cliffs: A stunning location – a truly amazing place, a hidden gem on the Yorkshire coastline. In 2019, Bempton Cliffs will have been protecting seabirds for 50 years. The towering chalk cliffs are home to the UK's largest mainland seabird colony and largest mainland gannet colony. Along with around half-a-million seabirds that flock to the cliffs annually, over 100,000 visitors from across the world are drawn to this special place and are able to enjoy it from six, safe cliff-top viewing platforms.

Hull Truck Theatre: A producing theatre in the heart of Hull, telling powerful human stories that resonate with our city and have global relevance. They are an energetic and creative community of people dedicated to delivering exceptional theatre for a diverse audience, many of whom are experiencing the arts for the first time.

REMARKABLE EAST YORKSHIRE TOURISM AWARDS FINALISTS 2019

Remarkable Bed & Breakfast

Wolds Village, Bainton

The Toll Cottage, Cottingham

The Fox & Coney Inn, South Cave

Village Farm Bed & Breakfast, Skipsea

Newbegin House, Beverley

Remarkable Business Tourism Award

Mercure Grange Park Hotel, Willerby

Hallmark Hotel, North Ferriby

DoubleTree by Hilton, Hull

Beyond Events, University of Hull

Tigers Events at the KCom Stadium, Hull

Bishop Burton College, Bishop Burton

Remarkable Cuppa

Nibble@The Dock, Hull

Vanessa Delicatessen & Cafe, Beverley

Drewton’s Farm Shop & Restaurant, South Cave

The Fiddle Drill, Goodmanham

Millers, Raywell

Remarkable Food Experience

Trinity Market, Hull

The Yorkshire Wolds Cookery School, Southburn, near Driffield

Little Wold Vineyard, South Cave

Cherry View Milk, Cherry Burton

Beverley Food Festivals, Beverley

Hotham’s Gin School & Distillery, Hull

Remarkable Holiday Park/Holiday Village

Thorpe Hall Caravan & Camping Site, Rudston

Manor Farm Camping, Beverley

Bridge Leisure - Sand le Mere Holiday Park, Tunstall

Patrington Haven Leisure Park, Patrington

Butt Farm Caravan and Camping, Beverley

Remarkable Hotel

Mercure Grange Park Hotel, Willerby

Cave Castle Hotel & Country Club, South Cave

Hallmark Hotel, North Ferriby

DoubleTree by Hilton, Hull

Holiday Inn Hull Marina, Hull

Remarkable Newcomer

DoubleTree by Hilton, Hull

The Fox & Coney Inn, South Cave

Beverley Minster House, Beverley

Corporation Farm Cottages, Tickton

The Barrow Boys, Hull

Remarkable Pub

The Head of Steam, Hull

The Ship Inn, Sewerby

The Lion and Key, Hull

Wrygarth Inn, Great Hatfield

The Black Horse, Little Weighton

The Tiger Inn, Beverley

Remarkable Restaurant

Humber Fish Co., Hull

Tapasya@Marina, Hull

The Old House, Hull

1884 Wine & Tapas Bar, Hull

Remarkable Self-Catering Provider/Property

Rose Cottage, Huggate

Field House Farm Cottages, Sewerby

High Barn Cottages, Bempton

The Hideout, Hull

Broadgate Farm Cottages, Walkington

Little Otchan Shepherd Hut, Halsham

Kingfisher Lakes Glamping, Brandesburton

Remarkable Taste of East Yorkshire

Drewton’s Farm Shop & Restaurant, South Cave

Atom Brewing Co., Hull

Vanessa Delicatessen & Cafe, Beverley

Soanes Poultry, Middleton on the Wolds

Laurel Vines Vineyard and Winery Limited, Aike

Humber Street Distillery Co., Hull

Remarkable Tourism Event

Beverley Puppet Festival, Beverley

Tribfest Music Festival, Sledmere

Pride in Hull, Hull

Urban Legends: Northern Lights, Hull

Humber Street Sesh, Hull

British Chess Championships, Hull

Beverley Food Festival, Beverley

Remarkable Visitor Attraction/Experience

William’s Den, North Cave

Sledmere House, Sledmere

Burton Constable Hall & Grounds

Hull Truck Theatre

RSPB Bempton Cliffs

Hull Minster

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust - Spurn