Plymouth Guildhall was the setting for the Devon Tourism Awards this year, a gathering of likeminded businesses seeking to deliver excellence to their customers and receive an accolade and recognition for their efforts. Gold, silver or bronze – to be at least third in the county is a great achievement.

The pub award was judged by our very own Alan Knight, using his years of experience in the sector, submitting mystery shop reports to the awards panel for their decisions. Gold was given to the Swan Inn, Bampton.

In Alan’s own words “The Swan Inn illustrates perfectly the progress in standards that have taken place across the sector in the past decade. If a pub does food now, it must be good food, using good quality local ingredients and allergen information and healthy options must be related and offered. Drinks will include a range of real ales and cider, and to not have a selection of gins would be a crime!”

 

“The Swan offers these things and more, serving both locals and visitors passing through, in a traditional pub setting with a modern twist. Most importantly every member of staff is on message and knowledgeable of the food and drink on offer.” If you want inspiration on improving your own pub a visit here could prove worthwhile.

Silver was taken by the Cricket Inn, Beesands, an up and coming star we feel. And bronze by the ubiquitous Victoria Inn, Salcombe. Being a St Austell house, the Victoria has professional hallmarks that independent operators can gain great ideas from.

Winner of winners, as well as winning their own B&B category were 25 Boutique B&B, Torquay. Check out their website and other Internet presences to gain a lesson in tip top modern marketing of a hospitality business and giving a hint of the quality and service that they offer their guests.

Silver and bronze in this category were taken by Higher Gitcombe, Cornworthy and Salty Monk, Sidbury, both brilliant hospitality providers in their own right and proving the high standards that need to be achieved to feature in these awards.

Here is a link to a full list of award winners, from small hotels to restaurants and more – http://www.devontourismawards.org.uk/page/40/2017-winners–highly-commended.htm Check them out and pinch ideas for your own business!

It is a great idea to think ahead to your entry in the 2018 awards right now. A run through the entry form will show you the kind of things you could put in place now, to gain points for your written entry and achieve a mystery visit, your opportunity to show the judge what you really do. All you need to know is on the Devon Tourism Awards website.

Winners go through to the South West Awards held in February, this time at RIC, Torquay, where Devon goes head to head with winners from Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall, to decide the regional crowns.