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News

Poole Celebrates Tourism Success - The Sibbett Gregory Palms 2004

Quality and commitment were the themes of the day at the annual Poole Tourism Awards – The Palms. A prestigious ceremony took place on 30^th September at hytes restaurant at the Harbour Heights to celebrate the diversity and quality of Poole’s tourism product. The ‘Palms’, sponsored by local commercial property agents and surveyors, Sibbett Gregory, saw eighty key tourism and business figures gather to recognise excellence in Poole, and to showcase those tourism operators and businesses that have had significant impact on the town’s tourism industry.

Back Row from left to right: Richard Evans Poole Stadium (on behalf of Benfield Ltd), John Stockton Animal, Steve Kitchin Animal, Garry Willingham FC Watersports, Michele O'Brien - Old Town Ghost Walks, Bernard Merna Compton Acres
Front row: Peter Gordon, Rockley Watersports, Jonathan Sibbett, Bruce Grant-Braham, Kaye Merna Compton Acres. 

Bruce Grant-Braham, chairman of the Poole Tourism Panel told the assembled guests of Poole Tourism’s pursuit of quality. ‘These awards aim to champion best practise, recognise excellence in the town, reward achievements and to create exemplars for others to aspire to. With so much excellence in the town the judges had some very difficult decisions to make’.

Jonathan Sibbett, Partner at Sibbett Gregory, said ‘We are proud to sponsor this annual event as Poole has a fantastic tourism product and so much to shout about and celebrate. The standard of Poole’s Tourism industry is second to none and these awards endorse Poole’s quality image and reputation’. He added ‘The Palms are a great way to reward those businesses and individuals who have made huge commitments to maintaining the town’s position as one of the country’s leading destinations’.

The winners in the four main categories were:

Reputedly the UK’s premier annual kite and windsurf festival now in its seventh year, attracting the country’s top male and female competitors. Organised by Gary Willingham of FC Watersports, the event has fully developed its huge branding and positioning potential from the association with title sponsors ‘Animal’

• Tourism development of the Year \n

Compton Acres

Compton Acres has become a year round business, and owners Bernard and Kaye Merna have invested in new facilities to return the Gardens to one of the most visited and prestigious attractions in the South. New facilities include ‘Sorridi’ restaurant and delicatessen, ‘The Ark’ retail centre, and refurbished gardens

• Tourism Personality of the Year \n

Peter Gordon (Rockley Watersports)

Managing Director of family run sailing, windsurfing and power-boating centres (Poole and France), whose business is synonymous with high quality training, including other operators using for their own staff training. Whilst Peter has led the business with commercial acumen to achieve record figures, he also plays a full part in local charitable and sail training initiatives and events on a voluntary basis.

• Long term Personal Contribution to Tourism in Poole \n

Bruce Grant-Braham

Awarded for the huge commitment to Poole’s tourism industry over the past 20 years. An ambassador for the town who talks it up at every opportunity, and much respected by the local tourism industry. Currently chairman of Poole Tourism Panel (since inception in 1999), he has overseen the development of tourism strategy and been instrumental in affecting change. The pursuit of quality is a driving ambition as well as ensuring Poole maintains its strong competitive edge.

The day also saw two awards from the sponsors presented to:

• Michele O’Brien for her weekly ‘Granny Cousin’s Summer Ghost Walks’ through Poole’s Old Town. Often heralded as Poole’s unknown tourist gem, the award recognised the personal effort made to create a first class experience; \n

And

• Benfield Sports Group for staging the 2004 FIM Speedway World Cup in Poole. This one-off event generated extensive international television coverage and media interest and showcased Poole to a world-wide audience. \n

For more information and pictures on the Sibbett Gregory Palm Awards for Tourism in Poole please contact Jo Baynes, Poole Tourism, j.baynes@poole.gov.uk, 01202 262535. Or Jayne Sharman, Sibbett Gregory, jayne@sibbettgregory.com, 01202 661177.

Jo Baynes