Cream of the crop in tourism are honoured

The great and good of the Black Country tourism industry were honoured for putting the region on the map at a glittering awards ceremony.

Around 170 guests were given the red carpet treatment as they packed into the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill for last night's fourth annual Black Country Hotel and Tourism Awards evening.

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A champagne reception was laid on before winners in each of the 14 awards categories were announced at the prestigious black tie event, hosted by Heart FM's breakfast team Ed James and Rachel New.

The categories ranged from receptionist of the year to large attraction of the year. But the highlight was a first ever outstanding contribution award, presented to Black Country Living Museum chief executive Ian Walden OBE by his counterpart at Dudley Zoo, Peter Suddock.

Mr Suddock, introducing the final award of the evening, praised Mr Walden for "transforming a sewerage works into a world class visitor attraction" and said his friend would be "missed by us all" when he retired in the summer.

Accepting the accolade, Mr Walden pledged "there will be life after July" but added he had much to do before he left his post. He said after collecting the award: "I didn't expect anything like that. I'm obviously delighted - it's nice to know that the work has been appreciated.

"There's been a real change since I have been around. The idea Dudley and the Black Country could be a tourist area was laughed out of court in the 1970s and look at this event now."

Mr Walden's excellent evening had earlier been kick-started when the Black Country Living Museum was named large visitor attraction of the year.

Other winners included The Mount Hotel and Conference Centre in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, which notched a hat-trick of gongs. It was named top in business tourism of the year - joint, with Walsall Football Club - and large hotel of the year while the hotel's Philip Wilson was chef of the year.

General manager Noel Mines, aged 40, of Fancourt Avenue, Penn, Wolverhampton, said: "We weren't expecting to win all three but we have and it's a great feeling. It's the team's hard work that has done it and I'm very happy."

Chadwyn Bradie was a popular victor in the restaurant service of the year class, scooping the award on his home turf at the Copthorne. The 26-year-old, of Union Street, Walsall, took his mother to the event and said he was "absolutely delighted".

Housekeeper of the year was 41-year-old Tracey Jones from Wednesbury who was nominated for her work at the Village Hotel in Walsall. She said: "I'm totally shocked, but so proud."

Haden Hill House in Cradley Heath was small visitor attraction of the year for the second year running and development officer Alison Hyatt collected the trophy. The 48-year-old, of Kirkstone Court, Brierley Hill, said: "It feels absolutely amazing, I can't believe we've done it again."

Dudley Zoo, which missed out on the large visitor attraction award, won tourism website of the year while The Red Fort in Wolverhampton was the first winner of the newly-created restaurant of the year category.

Individual gongs went to tomorrow's manager of the year Philip Wright from Patshull Park Hotel, Golf and Country Club in Pattingham; receptionist of the year Karl Lowbridge from the Village Hotel and Leisure Club, Dudley; and Christopher Holloway, rewarded in the outstanding customer service class.

Keith Cheetham picked up the first award of the evening, the Black Country Hotels Association honouring him with an outstanding contribution accolade.

Brian Summers, chairman of Tourism West Midlands, had introduced the awards by saying the Black Country was well placed to do well in the coming year despite the gloomy economic picture. He told guests: "I believe we can be positive about 2009. We have great events to celebrate and great attractions to visit - let's do it."

Tourism generates £5 billion a year in the West Midlands, with an annual 140 million visits supporting more than 130,000 jobs.nextpage