Olympic Champion endorses 2012 as Wirral’s Year of Coast and Countryside

26th January 2012

Wirral’s own Olympic gold medalist and cycling champion Chris Boardman MBE took time out of his busy schedule to attend the launch of the Borough’s Year of Coast and Countryside on Wednesday.

Chris, who lives in West Kirby and regularly enjoys the Borough’s coastline by cycling on the beautiful 12 mile Wirral Way as part of The Circular Trail, visited the new Marine Point development at New Brighton along with one hundred tourism businesses to see how the £60m development is transforming the fortunes of the much loved seaside resort. 

Guests enjoyed a hot buffet at Brooklyn’s restaurant before venturing opposite to The Light digital cinema to listen to presentations from Ipsos Mori who carried out detailed visitor research on behalf of Wirral Council throughout 2011, De Vere Academy of Hospitality, Peel Holdings, Invest Wirral and The Light Cinema.  All of the presentations were shown on a full size cinema screen in The Light, the first cinema of its kind in the North West and one of the attractions that is bringing visitors once again to New Brighton.

Chris Boardman MBE said: “"I was so pleased to be asked to help launch the Wirral Circular Trail as part of the Year of Coast and Countryside. My family and I use the Wirral Way regularly and always marvel at the spectacular scenery on our doorstep and incredible views. I am sure the Circular Trail, developed by Wirral Council, will be just as popular for both visitors and residents alike. I am also looking forward to the full programme of walks, talks and other activities, and hope to get involved myself during this very special year."

A programme of events to celebrate 2012 as Wirral’s Year of Coast & Countryside has been compiled including The Mersey Pirate Muster, The Women's Open Golf, Food & Drink Festivals and the Wirral Kite Festival.  There will also be a range of events and activities in the country and coastal parks, including walks, guided tours, and picnics.  More information is available -click here.

Phil Dove of The Light Cinema said: "We are delighted to be hosting the launch event for Wirral's Year of Coast and Countryside. As a new member of the region's business community this is a great opportunity to meet and welcome our neighbours and let them see for themselves what we are bringing to New Brighton and Wirral as a whole. Wirral has a burgeoning leisure and tourism industry, creating hundreds of jobs and bringing money into the local economy. We are excited about the future of Wirral and proud to be a part of it."

Cllr Chris Meaden, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Leisure said: “The Wirral Year of Coast and Countryside has resulted from the findings of a visitor research study undertaken last year, highlighting coast and countryside as the key consideration for visitors coming to our special peninsula. The Year also follows the success of Wirral's tourism businesses over the past 12 months. These achievements will be celebrated in style, at the Wirral Tourism Awards on Thursday 1st March, at the Floral Pavilion Theatre and Conference Centre in New Brighton. From literally hundreds of nominations, some 50 businesses and individuals involved in tourism have been shortlisted for the 14 categories, and tickets for this eagerly anticipated event are now on sale."

Many of the Wirral Tourism Awards finalists were present at the launch as the shortlist has now been finalised.

The Award categories and finalists are:

Accommodation of the Year    
Herons Well
Inglewood Manor Hotel
Mere Brook House
Peel Hey

Team 
Wirral History & Heritage Association
Lady Lever Art Gallery
Inglewood Manor Hotel

Most Supportive Supervisor/Manager
Sandra Penketh (Lady Lever Art Gallery)
Kelly Atkinson   (Lattetude)
Paul Jones (Leasowe Golf Club/DeVere Academy)

Family Friendly Business
The Seaside Café  New Brighton
Gusto Restaurant
The Spotty Blue Teapot Ltd

Outstanding Customer Care Award
John Brown   (Ness)
Bruno Rebato   (Kukis)
Kim Shute  (Inglewood Manor)

Event of the Year
Wallasey Motor Club Rally
Secret Gardens of Oxton
Port Sunlight Village Festival

Most Professional Waiting on Team
Kuki’s Restaurant
Peninsula Dining Room
Gusto  Restaurant Heswall

Taste of Wirral
Zugers Tearooms
Chantilly Tea Rooms
Kukis’ Restaurant
Gorge’us Tearooms

Unseen Hero/ Volunteer
Wirral Farmers’ Market Volunteers
Wirral History & Heritage Group
One Borough Group Volunteers (Wirral Transport Museum)

Attraction of the Year 
Church Farm
Tam O’Shanter Farm
Light Cinema

Outstanding Young Person
Layla-Jane Wake  Gusto
Abbie Crompton  Lattetude
David Tacy – Liver View Hotel

Most Professional Bar Team
Vanilla Lounge   Hoylake
Wro Bar  West Kirby
Gusto Heswall

For information, to purchase a ticket or to sponsor an award please contact Chris Higgins at the Tourism Department Tel: 0151 691 8269 or Email: chrishiggins@wirral.gov.uk