Yes it?s official; Scarborough is the most enterprising place in Europe and has a major award to prove it! At an awards ceremony held in Prague on the evening of Wednesday 13 May, Scarborough won the Grand Jury prize in the prestigious European Enterprise Awards, which was awarded to the most creative and inspiring entrepreneurship initiative in the whole of Europe.

Scarborough, as the sole representative for the UK, was one of 13 entrants in the running for the Grand Jury prize out of an original 350 projects from across Europe who submitted entries for the competition.

The European Enterprise Awards, run by the European Commission Enterprise and Industry Directorate, aim to recognise those places of enterprise excellence across Europe that have helped to transform the social and economic fortunes of their area and are the best at improving economic prospects and encouraging enterprise in their countries.

Nick Taylor, Urban Renaissance Manager said:

?Well done Scarborough, what an achievement! It is a culmination of all the hard work that has been done over the past few years in transforming the town and is a real testament to the splendid efforts of a whole range of committed and passionate people from across the community. Scarborough has earned its place on the European map and we are now looking forward to capitalising on this prestigious accolade.?

David Archer, Scarborough Borough Council?s Strategic Director added:

?Winning this top award is an absolutely amazing achievement for the town. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our partners who have been involved in the awards submissions and in the renaissance of Scarborough in the past few years. It is that real sense of community partnership working that has been vital to our success; long may it continue and flourish.?

The Scarborough Renaissance Partnership submitted an entry for the awards in November 2008, after Scarborough was crowned the most enterprising place in Britain last year in the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform?s (BERR) successful Enterprising Britain competition, which celebrates and rewards the most enterprising places in the UK. The entry was based on how renaissance and the community have transformed the fortunes of Scarborough over the past few years through their enterprising approach. The Scarborough Renaissance Partnership comprises of Scarborough Borough Council, local stakeholders, businesses, representatives from the local community and Yorkshire Forward.

Yorkshire Forward Chief Executive Tom Riordan said:

This is incredible news for Scarborough and my wholehearted congratulations goes to everyone who has been involved, not only in this fantastic achievement, but in the whole process of Scarborough's Renaissance. We have always known that our region's combination of teamwork, entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for making the very best of our great places was a winner, but this is proof positive of its value.

What an accolade that Scarborough will not only now be known as being one of our country's original tourist destinations, but now also, the most enterprising place in Europe - and what great proof of how our region has the ability to position itself for the 21st century global economy.

Harry Rich, Chief Executive of Mark Your Mark, which runs the Enterprising Britain competition, said of Scarborough?s continued success:

?What has been achieved in Scarborough can easily translate to other places across the UK and Europe ? it?s a great role model for what embedding a culture of enterprise can achieve. Enterprise is what will get us through the economic downturn and it is important that we have platforms such as the Enterprising Britain competition and the European Enterprise Awards, which enable inspirational success stories to be shared. I?ve visited Scarborough and seen firsthand how vibrant and dynamic the enterprise culture there is. The town thoroughly deserves this title and I look forward to seeing them reap the benefits it will bring.?

Caroline Flint MP, Minister for Europe added:

?This is a great result for Scarborough, and well deserved recognition for the work that Scarborough Renaissance Partnership has done in promoting entrepreneurship and regeneration. Entering these awards is not only a good way for UK participants to benchmark themselves against their peers, it is a great opportunity to share ideas and learn from the best examples across Europe, and I hope there will be many more UK entrants in future.?

The European Enterprise Awards formed part of a major European conference ?The Small Business Act for Europe: business without barriers? which was organised by the European Commission and was part of the very first European SME (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) Week. The Scarborough team is hosting a stand at the conference, has delivered a presentation based on enterprising best practice and has taken the opportunity to promote the town to the rest of Europe.

A new collection of exclusive Lodges designed and developed in Finland has been completed at Raven Hall Country House Hotel at Ravenscar between Whitby and Scarborough.

The eight new lodges include a unique range of features for guests including luxurious furnishings and fittings, their own kitchen, wireless Internet access and the nature of the structure is sustainable, eco-friendly and assists in the reduction in CO2.

Clive Rowe-Evans, managing director of Raven Hall said: ?The new executive lodges demonstrate our commitment to providing our guests with the highest standards of accommodation and with the knowledge that their stay will be ?carbon-neutral?. Each lodge is individually designed and built with sustainable materials imported from Finland.?

The lodges are in three designs and sizes and are positioned in the hotel grounds with views of Robin Hoods Bay, ?one of the finest views in Europe that provides guests with an inspirational scene.? added Mr Rowe-Evans.

In addition to the sustainable material used in construction, operational aspects of the lodges include water-recycling systems, recycled energy boosting and all will be equipped with high-specification furniture and natural fabrics. All lodges will include free ?wif-fi? Internet connection, individual DVD players and special catering arrangements allowing guest to enjoy meals in their lodge but without the need for dish-washing afterwards!

For further information please contact:

Clive Rowe-Evans, managing director, or Diane Uhalde, general manager,
Raven Hall Country House Hotel, Ravenscar, Whitby/Scarborough YO21 3TL.
Tel: 01723 870353 Email: clive.rowe-evans@ravenhall.co.uk
Editor?s Notes: The hotel has 52 bedrooms, leisure, club, golf course and conference and banqueting facilities for up to 200 delegates.

Yes it?s official; Scarborough is the most enterprising place in the whole of the UK. At an awards ceremony held at 11 Downing Street on the evening of Thursday 16 October, Scarborough was named as the nation?s most enterprising place in the Enterprising Britain competition. Scarborough, as the representative for the Yorkshire and the Humber region, was the best of the 12 entrants that represented every region in the UK.

Enterprising Britain 2008 is a nationwide competition run by Make Your Mark on behalf of the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), and in partnership with Yorkshire Forward. Now in its fourth year, the competition celebrates and rewards the most enterprising areas in the UK; those places of enterprise excellence that have helped transform the social and economic fortunes of their area and are the best at improving economic prospects and encouraging enterprise in their regions.

The Scarborough Renaissance Partnership submitted an entry for the competition in April 2008, and the town became regional winners in May, beating off stiff competition from other Yorkshire towns and cities including Leeds, Bradford and Rotherham. The entry was based on how renaissance and the community have transformed the fortunes of Scarborough over the past few years through their enterprising approach. The Scarborough Renaissance Partnership comprises of Scarborough Borough Council, local stakeholders, businesses, representatives from the local community and Yorkshire Forward.

In June of this year, national judges visited Scarborough and were taken on a tour of the town by the Enterprising Britain team led by John Burroughs from Scarborough Borough Council?s Regeneration team. The judges were led by James Murray Wells, an internet entrepreneur, and they visited a range of projects and met with some of Scarborough?s enterprising people. These included Doug Kendall who led the team who delivered the major renaissance projects with Alex Richards and Chris Bourne. Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund principally funded the projects.
The judges also met some of the new tenants of Woodend Creative Workspace, Colin Charles and Martin Whelan from the Residents and Friends of Trafalgar Square and Jayne Watt from the Waterfront Caf? at Scarborough harbour.

The Crown Spa hotel is very proud to announce that it has recently been awarded 4-star status by the AA establishing it the only 4-star hotel on the Yorkshire Coast after an investment of ?6M.

It has a contemporary look and feel that brings great benefits to its guests- a hotel with comfort and style where elements of the past mingle well with the present. There are bold and seductive interiors to motivate and inspire any conference or event.

Bedrooms, Suites and Mini Suites are spacious and smart, with enhanced lighting and with the introduction of new Restaurants and an uncomplicated Menu, Conference Event Suites, a Dedicated Business Centre, as well as the designer Boardroom, we are able to offer a relaxed and naturally welcoming environment to hold your Conference. The Spa Health Club is the icing on the cake with the addition of five exclusive new Therapy Suites and Relaxation Area with Ice, Steam, Heat, Mud and a whole lot more.

Whatever the occasion, it is a hotel that is well worth a visit.

For all Conference and Event enquiries, please call Daphne Olney on 01723 357406. daphneolney@crownspahotel.com.
Fax 01723 357404

Number of bedrooms 86

The Crown Spa Hotel is proud to announce that it has been awarded a Hotel Excellence Award by the Hotel Reservation Service for 'Excellence through People' in the Independent Hotels catogory.

According to the Hotel Reservation Service the 'Hotel Excellence Awards are one of the Best Practice Forum's Business Excellence Awards scheme, and as such are amongst the most prestigious and highly coveted in the tourism and hospitality industry. They recognise outstanding business achievement and are awarded to those who have adopted or adapted best practice in different aspects of their operation'

The HRS Hotel Excellence Awards are held in association with the British Hospitality Association and are supported by the Institute of Hospitality and the Meetings Industry Association.

For further information please see:
http://www.hrshotelexcellenceawards.co.uk/2008-Excellence-Through-People-Independent.html

? 18,000 watt sound system

? Monitor system with 8 way mix

? Microphones to cater for all conference needs

? Traffic light system with cue points

? Infra red and loop induction systems

? Portable sound systems for all rooms within The Spa

? High quality plasma and projection screens, in various sizes to suit all needs

? Laptops

? Wi-fi throughout the whole building

? The ability to pipe through pictures and sound from one room in to another

? High quality DVD, mini disc and video equipment to record conferences

? Vision mixing and full lighting to suit individual needs

? Full technical service available from our own highly trained technicians.

THE much-loved seaside resort of Scarborough is undergoing a ?300 million investment that is set to cement its reputation as the conference and tourism magnet of the Yorkshire coast. The coast is seeing a renaissance in its fortunes with vast investment from the public and private sectors taking place in the environment, culture and business areas. This huge investment is transforming the traditional resort into a vibrant and cosmopolitan place to live, work and visit.

Major investment is giving the bustling harbour a facelift with improvements both off and on the water. The creation of 60 new berths with additional spaces for visiting boats, innovative lighting and paving schemes, chic waterfront bistros and attractive street furniture among other developments is changing this area to one of the best seafronts in Europe.

The existing business park is expected to double in size over the next 10 years to meet the demand of the growing business community within the town. This will open up new opportunities for companies to relocate or set up their operations on the Yorkshire Coast and generate an expected 2000 jobs over the next ten years.

In the North Bay, work has started on a ?120 million pound, 55 acre leisure development called The Sands. This stunning new project, set amid mature woodland with spectacular views towards the castle, will include apartments, a 150 bedroom conference hotel, a spa, retail outlets, play areas and all weather leisure facilities. The centrepiece will be a water park with slides, rapids and waves and a separate eight lane pool for competitive and more serious swimmers. The project is attracting operators, investors and occupiers from far afield who share the vision for the future of Scarborough and the surrounding area.

On the cultural front, Scarborough?s Rotunda Museum- one of the oldest purpose built museums in Britain- is being transformed into a centre of geology for Yorkshire with Hi-tech display and exhibition areas that will provide an insight into the ground beneath our feet along with information on modern-day geology and environmental research. The museum will provide a unique place in which to hold conferences and meetings.

The creation of a Creative Industries Centre in the Cultural Quarter of the town will provide superior business units, artist studios and conference rooms to enable the considerable creative talent within Scarborough to develop further. Due to open in 2007, there will be up to 35 creative companies and business incubation units plus the UK?s longest established artist?s co-operative, Crescent Arts.

The nationally important conference and events venue, the prestigious Spa Complex which overlooks the magnificent sweep of Scarborough?s South Bay, has completed its ?3.75 million refurbishment bringing state of the art technology to this spectacular Victorian building. Equipped with the latest cutting edge technical equipment, new lighting, quality decoration and refurbishment the complex holds up to 1924 delegates theatre style in its largest room and, in conjunction with Scarborough Conference Bureau, operates an incentive scheme which includes free room hire up to the value of ?4500 per day.

This major investment in key projects throughout the town has inspired many hotels and conference venues to invest in their premises to keep up with the pace of change.
Scarborough is teeming with fine hotels to suit all sizes and budgets ? many are fully equipped with the latest technology required to conduct a professional and successful conference. This element ensures that the thousands of delegates from a huge variety of organisations, associations and societies return to Scarborough on a regular basis, confident that their conference will not only meet but exceed their expectations.

Quote:
Quote from a very satisfied conference organiser ? Scarborough and the seaside provide a different scene to that of our everyday life, taking away the humdrum and the mundane and making delegates feel relaxed. They?re ready to enjoy both the business and social side of the conference and make positive contributions in a conducive atmosphere.?

Scarborough Conference Bureau
Scarborough Spa Complex
South Bay
Scarborough
Y011 2HD
Tel: 01723 357877
Fax: 01723 357884
Email: enquiries@scb.uk.com
www.conferencesatscarborough.co.uk

The Crown Spa Hotel is presently on course with the ?2M refurbishment of bedrooms, Taste restaurant and caf? bar along with public areas, in preparation for attempting a successful grading at 4 Star Status in early 2008.

Company MD Richard Frank stated 'With the Crown being awarded the Best Hotel 2007 at the recent Yorkshire Moors and Coast Awards Ceremony, we should be well on our way to providing the required service and fabric of the building requirements that the 4 star standard demands by early February 2008. This will undoubtedly fulfil our conference and meetings clients' expectations for high service levels and well appointed contemporary bedrooms.'

The Crown Spa Hotel has recently completed an extension to the already popular Crown Spa Health Club (located within the hotel) the new treatment rooms are already available and proving very popular with the private Rejuvenation suites available from early December 2007.

A new team-building and off-season sport is to be available from the autumn of 2007.

Raven Hall Country House Hotel is to offer a unique new service for visitors, conference groups and individuals. The Pesky Husking Trekking Centre based at Staintondale near Scarborough North Yorkshire will provide the service.

Husky sledding is usually thought to be for snow-bound locations such as Lapland, but a special new sled the ?Pawtrekker? provides an alternative with wheels. The planned service will operate around Staintondale and Robin Hood?s Bay on the former railway line, which passes by Raven Hall.

Diane Uhalde, Raven Hall?s general manager comments: ?Huskies are one of the friendliest and hardiest dogs and our colleagues at the Pesky Husky Centre have trained six adults in readiness for the new service which is a great new team building experience for the meetings and conference delegates at the hotel but also provides an exciting alternative pursuit for any visitor?

The re-enactment of a famous story about Siberian Huskies that were used to save a township in North America from a serious medical epidemic will also be part of the activities available and there will be a special challenge for participants with the opportunity for the winner to receive reward prizes.

The University of Hull @ Scarborough have now completed the refurbishment of the Calvinos Bar area and celebrated this with an opening ceremony on September 23rd 2007. The bar is available for conference organisers to use in conjunction with meeting and syndicate rooms as an excellent break out area.

Plans are currently being drawn up for the refurbishment of the University's dining room which will be followed next summer with a complete refurbishment of all accommodation blocks.