Town scoops top prize
HINCKLEY has won the best market town in Leicestershire award in the annual Leicestershire Promotions 2017 Tourism and Hospitality Awards.
Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Hinckley BID are celebrating after Hinckley beat off fierce competition from Loughborough, Market Harborough and Melton Mowbray to be awarded the prestigious accolade by tourism chiefs in front of a packed audience of retailers, businesses and other special guests at Leicester’s Athena last week.
Martin Peters, chief executive of tourism specialist Leicestershire Promotions said: “This year’s tourism awards were the grandest yet with 77 finalists contesting the categories. Competition was fierce and although we congratulate all of the winners, the standard was so high and every finalist can be proud of their achievements.”
The award recognised the efforts of Hinckley BID and the borough council who have sup- ported more than 40 events in Hinckley town centre in the last year, boosting visitor numbers. Judges were also impressed with initiatives including free wi-fi as well as the hard work of the town’s businesses, 65% of which are independent traders.
The award also commended the way that Hinckley continues to attract investment and grow.
In the past two years, 19 more town centre shopping/entertainment outlets have opened in The Crescent and in 2016 a new £15 million leisure centre opened in the middle of Hinckley town centre which has dramatically increased visitor numbers as well as helping to increase foot- fall for shops and businesses in the town.
Cllr Maureen Cook, executive member for community services, has paid particular praise to council staff.
She said: “Our team of officers are dedicated to Hinckley being one of the best destinations in the Midlands. They arrive early to set up events, and are always the last to leave after making sure our streets are clean and tidy.”
Steve Wegerif, director of Hinckley BID said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award in the face of such stiff competition. Hinckley businesses can be justly proud of their town centre and we will continue to support them with crowd pulling events and plenty of other initiatives.”
Bill Cullen, chief executive of Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council said: “This is a fantastic accolade for the great and diverse offer of our town centre.
“All partners and businesses should be rightly proud of the hard work that is done in liaison with the borough council in providing a great experience for shoppers. This offer has been significantly enhanced with the development of The Crescent and the new leisure centre and the fabulous events programme provided with the support of Hinckley BID.”