Local & Recent News
Crown Spa Wins Hotel of the Year again!
14 th November 2008
Winner of Yorkshire, Moors & Coast Hotel of the Year AGAIN!
Scarborough's Crown Spa Hotel was named hotel of the year (50 bedrooms and over) for the second year running. Manager David Chambers collected the award along with 12 other team members who filled the awards stage and said: "Yet again everyone's hard work has paid off, it's absolutely fantastic for the hotel team and Scarborough."
Judges noted that the mystery shopper who visited the hotel were very impressed with the city feel and the 4 star feel of the property and service.
Yorkshire gains £30m tourism boost (over 3 years)
10 th November 2008
A £30 million investment over 3 years is being seen as a trigger to transform Yorkshire and Humber’s tourism economy into a powerful sector.
Yorkshire Forward (the regional development agency) will be used as a catalyst to attract new public and private sector funds. 
The money will be used to help better co-ordinate the existing investment in tourism, which is forcasted to result in an increase in regional visitor spend per year of £300 million , according to the Yorkshire Tourist Board (soon to be renamed and bradned);
the main priority is to update the region’s image to attract 5% more new visitors.
The Yorkshire Tourist Board aims to achieve this by showcasing examples of the region’s transformed towns and cities, such as Sheffield, which has benefited from significant public and private investment in recent years.
Similarly, traditional tourism destinations such as Scarborough have a new face to sell to the world, having just been announced as the most enterprising in Britain.
The investment is the most significant ever in the region’s tourism industry, with an increased investment from Yorkshire and Humber’s Regional Development Agency of 59% a year over the next three years.
Tourism already employs 243,500 people in Yorkshire and Humber and contributes £6.1 billion to the economy.
Yorkshire Tourist Board chief executive Gary Verity said: “The visitor economy in Yorkshire and Humber involves almost everyone.
“As well as tourism businesses and the local authorities who help make the region the great place it is to visit, everyone who lives here has a part to play in promoting what we have and encouraging visitors to spend their money here.
“But we need strong leadership and clear messages that everyone understands and promotes, and it is our job to provide that leadership and focus for the industry.
“On the back of Yorkshire Forward’s investment, Yorkshire Tourist Board and our regional tourism partners are committed to taking tourism to the next level which is an extremely exciting proposition.
“We will capitalise upon our strengths and build upon our rich heritage but reinvigorate our image to promote our diverse and contemporary tourism offering.
“Our energy and drive in marketing and promoting the region will push the boundaries of tradition to the limit and catapult Yorkshire and Humber centre stage to a global market.”
Terry Hodgkinson, chair of Yorkshire Forward, said: “Tourism is a significant driver in Yorkshire and Humber’s economy and represents one of the largest sectors in the region which is why we are making this investment to grow this further.
“Yorkshire Forward’s increased investment is testimony to the significance and growing importance of the tourism sector in the regional economy.”
John Godber speaker for ladies lunch
3rd November 2008
In aid of St. Catherines Hospice John Godber will be speaker 
for a ladies lunch at the Crown Spa Hotel. John Godber is one of the very popular modern witers. John Godbers plays have featured at both the Hull Truck and the Stephen Joseph Theatres. Notable plays under his belt are Bouncers, Teechers and Up 'n' Under. He has helped turn the Hull Truck Theatre into one of the best known teatre groups in the country. The three-course ladies starts at noon on Wednesday 12th November 2008, tickets are £27.50; for more information contact 01723 378406.
Landmark hotel reflects the renaissance of Scarborough
23rd October 2008 Yorkshire Post
SCOUR the visitors' book at the Crown Spa Hotel and there's a good chance you'll find the signatures of Michael Caine and Margaret Thatcher. It is proud of its claim to be the first purpose-built resort hotel in Britain, and has attracted a host of celebrity visitors over the years. A Scarborough landmark since June 1845, it's about to accommodate more guests than ever.
Its rebirth reflects broader trends in Scarborough. Over the next year, it will gain another 24 bedrooms as it attempts to grab a bigger share of the business market.
The hotel has a colourful history which reflects the peaks and troughs in the tourist trade.
David Frank, the Crown Spa Hotel's administration director, recalled: "The Crown was among a series of hotels built when the railway first came to Scarborough in the mid-1840s. In 1841, a railway link between York and Scarborough was being talked of in Parliament. Investors realised that the new railway connections would make Scarborough an easier destination to visit for all and an opportunity to make a handsome return in the process."
The strength of the tourism trade was so great that in 1898, the Crown Hotel – as it was then called – changed hands for £750,000 and had a further £250,000 spent on refurbishments, which included electric lighting.
In 2000, The Crown became a "family affair" when it was sold by the Regal Hotel Group for £2m to a local family-owned independent company named Chariet, which is still in charge today and headed by Richard Frank, the managing director.
He said yesterday: "At the time, the hotel was in a bad state, with water coming in through the roof. Generally, we have spent £1m per year since the acquisition increasing the number of bedrooms from 78 to 91. We have taken obsolete store rooms and converted them into bedrooms."
He added: "By February 2009, all 91 bedrooms will be refurbished. The team at the Crown see a great future for the town, particularly since the start of the Scarborough Renaissance project which was backed by Yorkshire Forward. Since early 2000, the number of team members has increased from 37 to 103 because of increased business activity; turnover has tripled since 2000, to £3.7m a year."
The hotel plans to create an extra 24 rooms by this time next year. Twelve extra permanent jobs will also be created.
David Frank added: "People in Scarborough are starting to realise they have got hope in the town. With the renaissance project, people from different industries now communicate more openly and effectively. If you give people hope, they are half way there."
The hotel is also keen to stress its "green" credentials, which include energy-saving lighting and extra insulation. The company has its own "green team" which encourages all staff members to reduce waste.
Richard Frank added: "We are appealing to the more sophisticated leisure and business customer. Although the country is going through the credit crunch, there are still flurries of networking events which are worthy of support."
The hotel is a supporter of the two-day International Business Forum, which is being held at Scarborough's Spa complex on November 5 and 6. The Yorkshire Post is a media partner.
Crown Spa Host to Ambassadors Dinner with top banker from the Bank of England
23rd October 2008
The Crown Spa played host to the town renaisance dinner on the 23rd october 2008. Along with the Lord Derwent, Peter Wilkinson and many other business leaders in the area, was a question and answer session from Charles Bean from the Bank Of England who sits on the board which makes decisions on monetray policy. With the cyurrent credit crisis and recent bank failures the questions were lively and well answered.
Scarborough Awarded Most Enterprising Town
16th October 2008
Scarborough has won this most pretigeous award by beating stiff competition from all over the UK.
"Wow is all I can say," said Nick Taylor, Scarborough renaissance manager. "This is a great reflection of the huge amount of effort that everyone has put in to promoting Scarborough. It shows the tenacity, thrift and vision of so many businesses in the town. We had not even dared to imagine how great it would be to win, so this is a great success story for a small town in Yorkshire."
Scarborough's submission to the competition was based upon many of the achievements of the town's Renaissance Project, including the £4.8million Woodend Creative Workspace, the new harbour pontoons project, and the Rotunda, which recently underwent a £4.4 million facelift, including many inspections of local businesses of which the Crown Spa Hotel was inspected. David Chambers Operations Manager Said "The inspection can just after we were confiremed our 4 star status and was a very through town inspection."
The regeneration concepts have also included the Spa refurbishments, and the introduction of the prestigious Tourism Awards. The North Bay developments and the new casino are not part of the official renaissance programme, but they have added to the level of action and attention.
Scarborough businessman Tom Pindar, dubbed the father of Scarbor-ough renaissance by the Evening News, said: "It is a fantastic win for Scarbor-ough as it shows we are being recognised as a place that really cares about business and cares about a better way of living for everyone.
"My ambition has always been for Scarborough to be recognised in this way."
The judges were also presented with the plans for Scarborough's new £9 million Business Park, which will see the existing business park double in size.
One of the countries most succesfull entrepreneurs, James Murray Wells, who founded
glasses direct, was among the panel and was extremely impressed with what he saw.
He said: "We had an incredible day and I'm going away thinking Scarborough is full of entrepeneurs."
The judges were also shown two of Scarborough's multi million pound investments. The 4.8 million Woodend Creative Workspace and the Rotunda, which recently under went a £4.4 million face lift.
As winner of the Enterprising Britain competition Scarborough will now be given automatic nomination as the UK representative in the European Enterprise Awards.
Fat Face Scarborough
4th October 2008
This year’s Fat Face Night Race, which took place in Scarborough to a crowd of 6,000, was a night ofhigh-adrenaline fun.
Gee, Rachel and Dan Atherton are raced, as did World Master Champions Lee Bertram and Lynda Davis, and Team BikeRadar’s Marc Beaumont, Neil Donoghue and Will Longden.
The course was being kept under wraps for until the opening morning with test runs taking place from lunch time, the race started at Scarborough Castle, featured some amazing man-made wooden features that awed the crowds, and finish next to the habour.
It’s not just the pros that contended for cash, the race is designed to accommodate riders aged 12 to 40-plus in a family friendly day; the young 12 year olds were most people's pluggy specticle as they droped off jumps 15 ft up!
British Longboard Club Championship Competition
4th October 2008
Saturday 4th- Sunday 5th October taking place in both Scarborough's South Bay. This event was well worth whatching with teams from across the UK. Scarborough and the coast is becoming one of the surf locations of the North due the variety of surf spots available suitable for beginner to advanced and the just plain scary! Most of the best spots are visible from the shore so can make a great visual specticle. The Scarborough Team came second in this competition which continues through the year.
6th Annual Scarborough Jazz Festival
26th – 28th September 2008
26th-28th September at The Scarborough Spa Complex. What an impact this event has had on the jazz world! In its first four years it has enjoyed increasing national acclaim. The wonderful Victorian Scarborough Spa sparkled with the highest calibre jazz musicians at the sixth Scarborough Jazz Festival. Highlights were top vocalist Clare Teal and the prestigious BBC Big Band; Guy Barker's stunning Jazz Orchestra; saxophone superstar Courtney Pine; Tom Cawley's outstanding 'Curios'; UK's leading tango ensemble 'Tango Siempre'; band of 2008 moment quintet 'Empirical'; Alan Barnes' Ellingtonians and the acclaimed vocalist Claire Martin with the exceptional Gareth Williams Trio.
The superb regional bands 'Tribute to Atlantic Jazz', Jamil Sheriff Octet', Julie Edwards and Kevin Dearden Quintet; UK Promoters' Choice bands Gareth Roberts Quintet, Alcyona Mick Quintet and Indo-Jazz fusion band 'Free Spirits'; and the witty, multi-award winning reeds player Alan Barnes as compere. What a weekend over 200 people attened! Click Here for Scarborough Jazz Festival Event Information For Next Year (opens new window)
NB: The Crown Spa Hotel is but a stone’s throw away from the Spa Complex!
Fishy Things Going On!
27th September 2008
As the UK’s most popular hobby; yes we are talking Fishing the Yorkshire Coast is party to a number of leading events this autumn.
One of the more unusual forms of the sport is fishing from an Ocean Kayak; a great way of seeing the Coastal Scenery from an unusual perspective whilst also having the opportunity to bring home some fresh fish for supper!
Flying the Flag For Scarborough
26th September 2008
Yorkshire tourism industry's best kept secret is out – the White Rose Award winners have been announced.Five hundred guests attended the ceremony held at Bridlington Spa last night; there were accolades for businesses in the Scarborough area with others coming close to the top prize.
The winner of the self catering holiday of the year award was Noelles Cottages, Pickering with Cherrygarth Cottages, Slingsby, among the finalists.
Guest accommodation of the year award was won by Low Penhowe, Burythorpe, near Malton, with 17 Burgate, Pickering, and The Wold Cottage, Wold Newton being among the finalists.
Taste of Yorkshire award went to The Pipe and Glass Inn, South Dalton, Beverley with Low Penhowe among the finalists. Low Penhowe was also listed in the finalists for tourism website of the year. Leys Holiday Accommodation, Filey, The Black Swan Tearoom and Patisserie, Helmsley, and Go Ape! at Dalby Forest missed out on the best newcomer to tourism award to Ackroyd House, Holmfirth.
Whitby's Starfish Accommodation was pipped to the post for the sustainable tourism award by Hull's The Deep.
Easthill Farm House and Gardens, Thornton-le-Dale, Field House Farm Cottages, Bridlington and YHA Whitby, Whitby, were all finalists in the access for all tourism award – only to miss out to Novotel Sheffield Centre.
Malton's TIC was in the running for tourism information service of the year award. That was won by Wakefield TIC. Lebberston Touring Park was beaten to the title of caravan holiday park of the year by Far Grange Park, Skipsea.
The White Swan, Pickering, was in the running for hotel of the year (up to 50 bedrooms). The title was won by Dean Court Hotel, York.
And Scarborough's Crown Spa Hotel missed out on hotel of the year (35 bedrooms and more) to Thorpe Park Hotel and Spa in Leeds which is a large £60M development.
Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Whitby, and Filey Museum were both finalists in visitor attraction of the year (under 50,000 visitors a year). The winner in the category was Wentworth Castle Gardens and Stainborough Park, Barnsley.
The awards are organised annually by Yorkshire Tourist Board (YTB), and supported by Yorkshire Forward.
David Andrews, YTB chief executive, said "Congratulations to all of the winners.
"To receive a White Rose Award is an indication of the quality standards realised by the recipients.
"To be a finalist, of which there were more than 90, is a great achievement in itself but out of those only 17 have been awarded with a trophy, which is indicative of the levels of excellence those short listed had to aspire to."
Scarborough's tourist boost in credit crunch
24th July 2008
SCARBOROUGH looks set to benefit from the credit crunch as families flock to the seaside in search of a cheaper holiday. The rise of the euro against the pound and air fares pumped up by massive fuel surcharges are prompting more people to head to domestic retreats.
The Crown Spa Hotel's David Frank said; overall the pattern for more UK holidays has been steadily increasing over the last few years due to a number of issues;
· Hassle and stresses of packing for a fortnight everything into say 2 suitcases
· Sitting in a queue at the airport and the regular delays in the journey adds stress to the holiday experience.
· The euro is now making European travel more expensive
· The unwelcome greeting at US customs and immigration control is putting people off the states
· Coming back to a mountain of work after a fortnights holiday means a number of senior managers are having just long weekends away and “staycations”.
· Growing awareness of the un-sustainability of air travel
As a result domestic tourism is on the up overall; though not for everyone!
The domestic tourist is increasingly intolerant of establishments that lack quality in furnishing and service; they expect a more sophisticated guest experience from all providers.
A higher expectation for higher levels of customer service has been brought about due to experiences travelling abroad where generally it is accepted (in the local community) that a good career can be derived from working in the hospitality industry; this results in generally higher service levels overall; though the UK is very much catching up with expected service levels and long-term career provision as a whole.
Quality of furnishings is firmly on the client’s mind as many people’s own bedrooms and bathrooms are equivalent to a 4 or 5 star hotel room from the 90’s; those establishments that have not up graded their rooms stock will find it increasingly difficult to bridge the furnishings expectation gap; many homes already have a master room ensuite; the non-ensuite room is a thing of the past.
Overall indications from surveys conducted with our clients; the majority are unwilling to totally give up the fortnight abroad; though there is an increasing number who are taking frequent “mini-holidays” within the UK and many of the family clients duration of stay on average is longer than it was 2-3 years ago. Overall the client are still having holidays though they are very much more price conscious and their expectations from a UK holiday experience are greater than a year ago; in order for establishments to hold their own sustainably in the present market they must look to bridging the gap and exceeding clients expectations in every way. Quality of customer service and quality of furnishings always shines through poor trading times!
Scarborough one of most popular destinations
4th July 2008
SCARBOROUGH has been named as one of the most popular destinations for a romantic break in the UK. The resort has romped home in sixth position for couples wanting a love break.
One major Scarborough hotel was not surprised at the outcome. David Chambers, operations manager at the Crown Spa Hotel, in Esplanade, said: "We do get a lot of couples here, without a doubt. Because of the leisure facilities we have on offer here people do come for a romantic break. We offer packages for couples with champagne and flowers, which has proved to be popular. We definitely get more couples than families, especially with the weekend trade."
The survey also found that a third of those polled believed summer was the best time for a romantic weekend break.
Cycling trio's Parisian pursuit to boost funds
28th April 2008
Stuart Russell, 32, the club manager of Scarborough's Crown Spa gym, and members Dave Gadsby, 33, and Richard Austin, 43, are cycling to Paris from London this summer.
The team, called the Crown Spa Spinners, hope to raise £3,500 for Action Medical Research from the event on July 23-27.
Mr Russell said: "I will be challenging more than just my fitness.
"This means that aside from all the training and preparation that goes into distance cycling I will be trying to raise as much money as I can for Action Medical Research."
The trio are appealing for donations and have organised a charity dinner dance on Friday May 30 in aid of the event.
Work colleague, and managing director of Eazee Access, Frank Wright has also promised to donate proceeds from the hire of his machines during the next month.
Action Medical Research hopes to have around 450 people taking part on the ride, with the cyclists arriving in the French capital in time to watch the end of the Tour de France.
It is not the first time the three men have taken on an extreme outdoor pursuit to raise cash.
Three years ago they completed the Three Peaks Challenge to raise money for the same charity.
Action Medical Research is a leading medical charity, looking to help people who suffer serious illnesses by selecting the best research projects in areas where they are most likely to find cures or treatments.
The charity has been making breakthroughs for more than 50 years, including helping develop the polio vaccine in the UK, ultrasound scanning in pregnancy and the hip replacement operation.
Crown Flips it to the finals!
6th February 2008
Many hundred's of people lined Aberdeen Walk and cheered as the teams, made their way to the start line. This was the Crown Spa's second Pancake Olympics and the pressure was on to do our best against stiff competition from experienced teams including Boyes, Matalan and the Local Evining News; as we had won the previous year.
Everyone was off like a shot, trying to run as fast as possible and flip their pancake three times en route before handing it to the next team member.
Teams that made it through the heats into the final were the Royal Hotel, Boyes, the Crown Spa Hotel, St Catherine’s Hospice and Right 4 Staff.
Unfortyunately we lost to Boyes (our local department store) but never mind better luck next year; now where was that job application from our local sprint champion! :)
Crown Spa visited by Cafe' Tasters
19th November 2007
BEING in the Ramshil area we decided to go up-market and dine at the Crown Spa Hotel.
It was a nice sunny day but a little cool to sit outside, so we opted to sit near the reception area.
There is a restaurant but we decided on the cosy relaxed atmosphere in the lounge and the nice view over the Esplanade and sea.
The mixture of sofas and chairs in cream and with dark wooden tables gives this place a modern look to the otherwise traditional surroundings.
We were very surprised how reasonable the prices were; the sandwich being £3.95 and the baguette £4.95.
Other items on the menu ranged from house salads between £8.75-£10.25, pizza, pasta and burgers from £5.95-£9.25, homemade soups with freshly baked bread at £3.50, various hot and cold sandwiches from £3.75-£5.45, various side orders costing between 95p-£2.75 and a small selection of cakes from £1.75-£2.50.
They also do an afternoon tea which consisted of an assortment of sandwiches, homemade fruit scone with clotted cream and preserve, homemade chocolate cake all served with a pot of tea or coffee.
A three-course Sunday Lunch with complementary coffee is available for £14.95. There is also a large selection of coffees, teas, soft and alcoholic drinks.
The service was excellent and the three young waiters were very attentive, polite and smartly dressed.
Overall, it was an enjoyable experiance and a lovely change from the hustle and bustle of the town centre cafes.
Louise and Helen's Star Rating
Overall Opinion *****
Value for Money ****
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