Salop Leisure joint managing director Mark Bebb with the Academy of Urbanism Award certificate.
A key business in Shropshire’s tourism economy has been praised for its contribution towards Shrewsbury winning a Great Town Award.
The county town pipped Bath and Lewes to take the Academy of Urbanism Award for Great Town or Small City in UK and Ireland after a day-long visit by four judges who spoke to a number of businesses.
The county town pipped Bath and Lewes to take the Academy of Urbanism Award for Great Town or Small City in UK and Ireland after a day-long visit by four judges who spoke to a number of businesses.
The tour started at Salop Leisure, a multi-award-winning caravan, motorhome and leisure company at Emstrey, where joint managing director Mark Bebb met with the judges and Helen Ball, Town Clerk for Shrewsbury Town Council.
“We were very pleased to play a small part in helping Shrewsbury to be recognised for the wonderful town that it is,” said Mr Bebb. “The judges were interested in jobs, investment, sustainability of the business and wellness.
“They were particularly interested in our natural cold water swimming pool at Love2Stay which is available to visitors staying at the resort and to local people who appreciate the health benefits.”
Mrs Ball added: “Winning the Great Town Award was such a great accolade for Shrewsbury both in terms of reputation and in regard to the local economy. We really enjoyed showing the judges around our lovely town.
“To understand more about the town, the judges visited a number of key employers, including Salop Leisure for its tourism and economic offer.
“We as a council have always been supportive of Salop Leisure and are grateful for the support that they have given us with promoting the town. Mark set the stall out for the town at the beginning of the tour.
“We emphasised that everything we do, and do well in the town, is about a partnership approach. We work collectively to better the town by pooling resources and skillsets.”
The contenders were judged against criteria for leadership and governance, local character, amenity and housing, commercial success and viability, environmental sustainability, community, health and wellbeing: and connectivity.
Through the awards, the academy and its members investigate and recognise some of the best, most enduring or most improved urban environments.
The academy, whose 1,600 members include planners, architects, conservation officers and urbanists, seeks award nominations for the best street, place, neighbourhood, town/city and European City.
“We were very pleased to play a small part in helping Shrewsbury to be recognised for the wonderful town that it is,” said Mr Bebb. “The judges were interested in jobs, investment, sustainability of the business and wellness.
“They were particularly interested in our natural cold water swimming pool at Love2Stay which is available to visitors staying at the resort and to local people who appreciate the health benefits.”
Mrs Ball added: “Winning the Great Town Award was such a great accolade for Shrewsbury both in terms of reputation and in regard to the local economy. We really enjoyed showing the judges around our lovely town.
“To understand more about the town, the judges visited a number of key employers, including Salop Leisure for its tourism and economic offer.
“We as a council have always been supportive of Salop Leisure and are grateful for the support that they have given us with promoting the town. Mark set the stall out for the town at the beginning of the tour.
“We emphasised that everything we do, and do well in the town, is about a partnership approach. We work collectively to better the town by pooling resources and skillsets.”
The contenders were judged against criteria for leadership and governance, local character, amenity and housing, commercial success and viability, environmental sustainability, community, health and wellbeing: and connectivity.
Through the awards, the academy and its members investigate and recognise some of the best, most enduring or most improved urban environments.
The academy, whose 1,600 members include planners, architects, conservation officers and urbanists, seeks award nominations for the best street, place, neighbourhood, town/city and European City.
