Tourism award for Ingestre business
A suite of holiday homes in an historic building near Stafford won gold in the 2016 Staffordshire tourism awards and a place in a national competition.
Ingestre Lodges was recognised in the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism Awardsas best self-catering holiday provider at a ceremony at Alton Towers.
The suite of rooms in the Grade II listed New Stables, at Ingestre, three miles east of Stafford, can accommodate up to 22 people and has won the silver award twice.
Proprietors Aaron and Anna Chetwynd will join other representatives of Staffordshire in the Visit England Awards for Excellence in the spring.
Mr Chetwynd, a descendant of the family who owned the Ingestre estate for 700 years, said: "It is great for a small business like ours to be given a place alongside the major tourism businesses like Alton Towers, Drayton Manor Park and the World of Wedgwood, all of which have won gold awards in their categories this year.
"We have been going for nearly six years now and our visitors come from all over the world. It has been well worth the effort by all the people who help us offer a unique visitor experience.
"It never ceases to amaze me that so many people underestimate the importance of tourism to the economy of Staffordshire. Yet nearly 25 million people visit the county every year and add £1.7 billion to our economy, which employs 30,000 people in the leisure industry."
Mrs Chetwynd added: "We have a thriving wedding base and clients coming from Hong Kong, Dubai, Italy, Japan and France as well as Staffordshire. Our website has been translated into six languages, including Japanese, Chinese and Italian.
"Our business offers a slice of English country life and a chance to stay in a magical and special place. There is no other business like it in Staffordshire."
Ingestre Lodges were officially opened by Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy early in 2011.
