Triple business awards win for Seaton

THE Seaton Tramway has scooped three honours in the Jurassic Business Awards.

The 2ft 9in gauge line’s latest success follows its triumph at the Heritage Railway Association 2024 awards in Brighton on February 10, at which it carried off the Environmental Innovation award, as reported last issue.

The latest successes came on February 29 at the awards event celebrating business excellence within the Jurassic Coast communities, organised by Marketing West and hosted at Sidmouth Rugby Club.

The Tramstop Café won the Café, Pub and Fine Dining Award, and nominations “praised this café right across the board.”

The tramway also took the Tourism Award. One judge said: “An attraction like this is good for the local economy as it has a knock-on effect, bringing in visitors to enjoy the scenic beauty of East Devon who then visits other businesses in the area.”

However, the pinnacle of the afternoon was the unexpected and prestigious Business of the Year Award, highlighting the tramway’s overall excellence and impact on the local business community.

The tramway’s commercial manager, Steve Waite, said: “These awards are fantastic recognition of the hard work and dedication of our entire team. Winning the Business of the Year was particularly special and unexpected.

“It’s an honour to be recognised among such distinguished businesses in Charmouth, Seaton, Sidmouth, Lyme Regis and Axminster.”

The tramway is to open Jurassic Discovery later this spring, firstly with a soft play area and café, followed by a new walk-through animatronic dinosaur exhibition set to open for the summer.