Sedlescombe B&B’s tourism award success

Businesses from around the South East region competed for sought-after accolades at the Tourism South East Beautiful South Awards last Wednesday (November 28) at Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey, hosted by Heart FM presenter Toby Anstis.

This year’s prestigious awards attracted a record number of entrants and resulted in an impressive short list.

Silver award winners in the B&B Accommodation of the Year category was 16th Century Kester House in Sedlescombe.

Owners Derek and Monique Wright said: “We are thrilled to have won this prestigious award.

“We have only been trading for just under 18 months and have been overwhelmed by the welcome we’ve received for our new venture!”

Staff from the Rye Tourist Information Centre (TIC), which is now the tourism hub for Rother District, also had cause to celebrate after winning a second Silver Award in the Tourist Information Centre category.

Tracey Young, manager of the Rye TIC, said: “We are delighted to have received this prestigious award again.

“We have had a fantastic year which has seen a dramatic increase in the number of visitor enquiries the team handle on a daily basis since taking charge of the Visitor Information Points in Battle and Bexhill and the Tourist Information Points located in businesses throughout the district.

“Recent mystery shopper results reflect the excellent standard of customer service the team continues to offer, and I am especially proud that we have managed to raise the profile of Rye Tourist Information Centre, to be recognised at this level.”

Managing director of Tourism South East, Peter Colling, congratulated the winners and praised them for providing an ‘outstanding’ service.

Kevin Boorman, manager of 1066 Country Marketing said: “This is a great result for 1066 Country and the quality of our product shows how we are punching well above our weight in terms of the standard and variety of accommodation and visitor facilities we offer.”