18 August 2020
While COVID-19 is still having an impact on UK tourism, there is plenty of positive news to be found too. We’ll do our best to keep you updated, via various means, about some of the best examples of how tourism businesses in the destinations we represent are rising to the challenge.
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Hampshire’s winning wines
Seven Hampshire vineyards collected a haul of five golds and five silvers at this year’s WineGB Awards. Winners included high profile vineyards Black Chalk Wines, Hattingley Valley, Jenkyn Place, Raimes English Sparkling and The Grange Estate. While lesser known vineyards Priors Dean, and Somborne Valley also received much-deserved recognition.
New chapter for Staffordshire theme park
Drayton Manor Park in Staffordshire has been sold to the Looping Group. The park, near Tamworth, which has been run by three generations of the Bryan family since opening in 1950, has joined the Looping Group portfolio that features attractions in Europe and the UK, including West Midland Safari Park. Bookings and passes will remain in place, and the Park and Hotel are open as usual.
New venture puts Trentham in the frame
Globe-trotting professional photographer, Amanda Dixon, is focusing on establishing some roots in the Shopping Village at The Trentham Estate. The Portrait Lounge is the latest addition to Trentham’s popular “high street”, and will be offering photo-shoots for family groups, pets, weddings, new-born babies, as well as a wide variety of specially-themed portraits
Meet’n’eat venue brings sense of place to Derby
This summer, Derby Market Place has been transformed into a vibrant 330-person capacity meeting-and-eating space, where people can now enjoy a wide variety of food and drink from local outlets within the city centre. So much more than a case of booking a seat, enjoying a drink, ordering-in, and chilling out; it’s also a great example of best-practice in the heart of a city that has already established a reputation over the centuries for being highly innovative and creative.
The 18th century David Attenborough makes it into the First 11
Next month sees the latest edition of the nation’s Heritage Open Days. And the 18th century David Attenborough has been included in this year’s Heritage Open Days “Festival First 11”. A man who inspired Darwin, it’s Gilbert White’s 300th birthday this year; a focal point of which is The Gilbert White House & The Oates Collection in Selborne, Hampshire. bit.ly/3gVtoDP
Time to enjoy Staffordshire, safely
Staffordshire is ‘Good to Go’, and has launched a new online campaign Time to #EnjoyStaffs Safely. EnjoyStaffordshire’s website has a new section giving the latest updates on attractions, eateries, hotels, gardens and theme parks: with ‘Staffordsheer Inspiration’
New venue opens in Hull’s hip Fruit Market
Social the newly revamped venue on Humber Street, formerly known as Fruit, opened its doors to the public for the first time on August 14 The disused warehouses and cobbled streets of the historic Fruit Market have been transformed into Hull’s cultural quarter. Social will initially be an arts café bar, premiering an exclusive art exhibition by Hull artist, Darren Rogers. Live entertainment and movies will gradually be introduced as restrictions ease