04/05/2011

The £6.5 million refurbishment of Scarborough Spa's historic Grand Hall is nearing completion ahead of a relaunch event featuring the world-famous Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra on Saturday 7 May .  This extensive refurbishment project has seen significant redevelopment of the grade 2 listed Victorian concert hall, reception areas and offices as well as the upgrading of the communication systems, air conditioning and technical equipment.  The year-long project is very much coming to an end.  The Grand Hall's stage area has been enlarged and now includes access lift for stage sets, allowing more flexibility for shows and performances at the Spa and allowing scenes to be changed quickly and more effectively.

The project has gone exceptionally well - and there have even been some exciting discoveries. The excavation of the Grand Hall's new basement turned up some exciting evidence of the site's rich heritage. Contractors found material from the previous buildings which shows the site has been in constant change since the discovery of the Spa waters in 1667.  The new management area in the caretaker's cottage has been occupied since March. The sales and marketing team, technical and catering management as well as the executive manager are now in situ in the caretakers' cottage originally built at the rear of the Spa in 1880

The refurbishment enables the Spa to offer an even more versatile conference and entertainment experience, with the ability to reconfigure the Grand Hall in a significant shorter time. Therefore the venue will be able to provide a more flexible solution for all types of events.  Jo Ager, Spa Sales Development Manager said: "It is very exciting to see the results of all the hard work.  We have a very busy year ahead and it is fantastic that we can now offer an even better experience at the Spa for the local community, visitors and business clients."

The Spa is one of the largest multi purpose conference and entertainments venue on the North East coast offering a full range of conference, hospitality and entertainment facilities.  This is complemented by a full in house event management and catering team and world class technical audio visual equipment and crew.

For media enquiries contact: Tim Readman, Communications and Marketing Assistant, Tel 01723 232419 or email tim.readman@scarborough.gov.uk

Barbican Centre York - Grand Opening

Set to reopen its doors this month (May 2011), the re-modelling of the well-loved York Barbican Centre in York is now underway, with a strong focus on upgrading the conference & event facilities.  The versatile Auditorium will be the perfect space for large conferences of up to 1400 delegates, with breakout spaces and foyer areas.  This space can also accommodate seated dining for up to 400 guests.  There are several smaller rooms and foyers, which provide ideal spaces for a wide range of events and activities including meetings, seminars, away days, training classes, wine tastings, exhibitions and activity or community group sessions.  A wide range of high spec in-house technical equipment and services will be available, alongside a variety of menus and catering options to suit events on all scales.  Centrally located and easily accessed by public transport or car, the much anticipated re-opening will provide an exciting addition to the York conference scene. All enquiries to conferences@yorkbarbican.co.uk

York and Scarborough Conferences Launch Ambassador Programme

York and Scarborough Conferences launched a brand new Ambassador Programme on the 7th March 2011 by holding a drinks reception in York's stunning Chapter House within York Minster, followed by dinner in the city's Mansion House.  Business Tourism Ambassadors as well as other VIPs attended, including representatives from the University of York, who have been working closely with York and Scarborough Conferences on this project.

The Business Tourism Ambassador programme aims to recruit key influencers in York and Scarborough who are affiliated to associations or societies which hold conferences or events.  The purpose of the programme, set up by Visit York with support from Tony Rogers who is a recognised authority on the UK conference and conventions market, is to facilitate the Ambassadors in bringing high profile events and increased business tourism revenue to York and Scarborough.  The programme has been rolled out in York initially with over twenty University of York Ambassadors recruited and will then be followed up in Scarborough.  York and Scarborough Conferences will support the Ambassador Programme offering advice from the initial bid through to the event itself, including sourcing venues and accommodation.  For more information on this programme please contact Laura Freer, Business Tourism Manager, Visit York, on 01904 554453.

York & Scarborough Conferences hold a unique buyer Showcase

York & Scarborough Conferences hosted a dynamic venue showcase, exhibiting the best venues the area has to offer at York Racecourse's Ebor Stand on Thursday 31st March 2011. This firmly established bi annual showcase event offered the perfect opportunity for conference and event organisers to meet with venue representatives under one roof, as well as take part in exclusive venue site visits across the region. There was also a unique opportunity for attendees to win a pair of tickets for a memorable trip of their choice on the vintage Art Deco British Pullman or Northern Belle. 

Over 50 venues and suppliers exhibited at the Showcase from large, small, historic, sporting and academic, to unique, classic and contemporary, and had the chance to meet over 60 buyers who attended from across the country. Some of the key venues included were the National Railway Museum, Cedar Court Grand Hotel & Spa and the Scarborough Spa. For further information about organising an event in York or Scarborough or to enquire about the venue showcase call 01904 554653 or visit www.yorkandscarborough.com

OX PASTURE HALL - SCARBOROUGH'S FIRST LUXURY GOURMET DESTINATION

Over the last few years, Ox Pasture Hall Country House Hotel & Restaurant in Scalby near Scarborough has been investing in the hotel and people, to develop Scarborough's first luxury gourmet destination.  Following an extensive £1 million refurbishment (included the building of a new £250,000 kitchen), Ox Pasture Hall has now been awarded 4-star country house hotel status and 2 rosettes for culinary excellence.
This now puts Ox Pasture Hall equal with the culinary giants in York and Helmsley (the Star Inn at Harome which as 2 rosettes and the Feversham Arms in Helmsley which also has 2 rosettes).

General Manager Lynsey Ackroyd and her award winning team, believe the secret to their success is exceptional food and excellent customer service. Lynsey says, "It's all about looking after your customers and exceeding their expectations. We do that very well here and have been rewarded with our new 4-star hotel status and the 2 rosettes for food"  For more information on Ox Pasture Hall please go to: www.oxpasturehall.com or contact Shaun Conway on 01723 365295.

Raven Hall scoops Business Tourism Award

The team at Raven Hall Country House Hotel, were delighted to be announced as winners of 2011 York and Scarborough Conferences Business Tourism Award, presented at the Annual Visit York Tourism Awards held on 6th April 2011 at York Racecourse.    Diane Uhalde, Director and General Manager of Raven Hall Hotel said  "This is a marvellous achievement and reflects the investment, hard work and excellent customer service put into making Raven Hall a major Conference and Leisure venue in the Region and a great Guest Experience".

For more information please contact Diane Uhalde on 01723 870353

or email on diane.uhalde@ravenhall.co.uk

Eddie Brown grows from strength to strength

Leading North Yorkshire coach operator Eddie Brown has welcomed 4 brand new coaches to its 44-strong fleet this month (April 2011).   All are high-specification touring coaches, two for the company's own fleet and two for operation on Leger Holidays' upmarket Silver Service programme.  The first of the coaches in Eddie Brown livery is a 44-seater with rear toilet and servery, and carries Diamond Traveller branding for use on the company's range of luxury coach holidays. This coach has been joined by an even more luxurious coach with 38 leather seats, for operation on the company's "Connoisseur VIP" holidays which use hand-picked hotels at premiere UK destinations. When not on VIP holidays, this luxurious coach will be available for corporate charter. A novel feature on the 38-seater is two rows of premium seating with leg supports on the front rows which can be activated to swing up as the seat reclines.

"We are delighted with these latest high specification additions to our already extensive fleet of coaches" says director Deirdre Brown. "The quality of these new coaches is excellent, and in conjunction with local manufacturers Plaxtons near Scarborough, we developed bespoke specifications for our Diamond Traveller and VIP coaches including eye-catching new liveries."  For more information please contact Deidre Brown on 01423 321240.

Corporate offerings from Stephen Joseph Theatre - from Camels to Morrocan Cuisine

Event or conference organisers who are looking for that something extra to make their event stand out need look no further than Stephen Joseph Theatre.  The SJT in Scarborough is expanding its conference and events services to include costume and props hire, theatrical lighting and sound and themed catering. The Theatre has recently hosted a Sex And The City 2 themed event, with Moroccan cuisine and the odd camel, with their staff transforming into the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, Michael Jackson and Elvis to serve cocktails for a Hollywood themed drinks reception.  Whatever  the vision for your event, the SJT are sure to have something in the store cupboard to bring it to life, with expert technicians and events staff who know how to put on a show.  For more information on giving your event a dramatic edge please call Ruth Puckering on 01723 356612.

Monkbar Hotel Puts Motivation Into Meetings

A York hotel is adding a new dimension to meetings which will leave delegates feeling engaged, stimulated and ready for anything the day throws at them.  The Best Western Monkbar Hotel has launched "Motivational Meetings" - where its own Motivators - Assistant Managers and identical twins, Tom and Ben Richardson - will lead the attendees through a fun work-out designed to get the adrenaline pumping.

Monkbar Hotel director June Nelsey said: "Making time for meetings is even more important in the present market place, and for organisers to get the best out of their teams they need to ensure that they turn up motivated."  The boys take delegates through a ten minute work-out - before the meeting starts, and after lunch when the energy levels are known to drop - to inspire enthusiasm and drive. June added: "The Japanese are very forward thinking about physical exercise before mental exercise, and every company starts the day with a get fit routine. "I thought our meetings needed a kick-start so that from the moment the meeting begins, the delegates are alive and ready for action. It's proving very popular, but maybe that's because they all want to see our boys in action."  For more information please contact Liz Duck on 01904 638086

Chocolate treats at York Mansion House

York based Chocolatiers Little Pretty Things have launched a whole chocolate box of experiences in partnership with The Mansion House, York, official residence of the city's Lord Mayor. The collaboration has seen the Mansion House host chocolate making workshops as well as chocolate tastings and talks. York has a long history of chocolate making, with Joseph Terry residing in the house during his four stints as Lord Mayor of York, and Joseph Rowntree as celebrated Freeman of the city. Recent group bookings have enjoyed the State Room and the Dining Room as a perfect venue for chocolate tastings. Visitors have indulged in an evening of entertainment with an insight into York and the Mansion House's chocolatey history and then made their way into the Georgian kitchens underneath the house to learn the secret  art of chocolate making, creating their own gorgeous chocolates to take home and enjoy. Chocolate tastings and making workshops are available at the Mansion House, hosted by Little Pretty Things for groups of all sizes, up to 60 people.  For more information please speak to Sophie Jewett on: 01904 898393   www.littleprettything.co.uk  E: littleprettything@gmail.com 

University of York Going for Green

The University of York is hosting the Annual Conference for the Association of University Directors of Estates (AUDE), taking place from Sunday 17th to Wednesday 20th April.   AUDE promotes excellence in the strategic planning, management, operation and development of Higher Education estates and facilities.  AUDE offers membership to publically funded UK bodies whose primary remit is higher education teaching and/or research.  To demonstrate their commitment to sustainable development across all of the University's activities, the University will be delivering the AUDE event as sustainably as possible. To this end, York Conferences will be working in partnership with Arup to ensure AUDE is compliant with the British Standard for Sustainable Event Management, BS 8901. Arup will be auditing the University's performance in line with the standard in order to deliver the first independently verified sustainable AUDE event.  For further information please speak to Sian Fraser Sales & Marketing Manager of York Conferences  on 01904 328436 or email sian.fraser@york.ac.uk

York & Scarborough Conferences  Celebrate A Successful International Confex

York & Scarborough Conferences enjoyed another successful International Confex, the country's leading exhibition for event organisers, which took place from 1-3 March at Earl's Court, London.  The York and Scarborough Conferences stand, together with stand partners consisting of venues such as the York Marriott, Cedar Court Grand, and Scarborough Spa, hosted an array of activities to tempt buyers, including A Day at The Races with Strawberries & Pimms, and a delicious Vintage Afternoon Tea, which contributed to the Welcome to Yorkshire stand winning the award for  ‘Best Stand Activity'. The buzz led to over 100 contacts being  made and 15 enquiries being taken.   For more information please contact Laura Freer at York and Scarborough Conferences on 01904 554453 or email lf@visityork.org.

Yorkshire gets its own Rough Guide

The new 2011 Rough Guide to Yorkshire is the first standalone travel guide to cover the whole county. Written in Rough Guides' trademark honest and informative style it covers all that Yorkshire has to offer from majestic cathedral cities to rolling dales, stunning coastline and the moors.   According to author Jos Simon, "Yorkshire's countryside and coast can compete with anywhere in Britain for beauty, its cities with any in the UK for shopping, dining and clubbing. Its hotels and racecourses, its museums and art galleries and its writers and artists need bend the knee for quality to no other region. And as for pubs and breweries, Yorkshire is world famous for them".

York Voted Britain's Favourite Small City.....

On the day of publication, Rough Guides also revealed that York has been voted Britain's favourite small city. In an independent poll conducted by YouGov on behalf of the travel guide publisher, York was chosen from over 200 British small cities and towns. Whitby came 7th in the top 10 favourites, making Yorkshire the only county to appear on the list more than once.   For further information please contact Viv Watton on 0207 010 3701.    

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