IMPROVEMENTS being carried out to help Newquay become a year-round holiday destination have been recognised after the town won a raft of awards.

Newquay in Bloom Partnership has been awarded its 16th consecutive gold award in the St Bridget’s Cup for small coastal towns at the South West in Bloom awards.

Newquay BID with its award
Newquay BID with its award

Hendra Tourist Park was awarded the Amberol Trophy for best business floral display in the South West region, Newquay BID achieved gold in the Business Improvement District category and the town was awarded third place in the highly competitive Art in the Landscape category. The winners attended an awards presentation evening, which was staged at the Atlantic Hotel on Friday, October 23.

The Britain in Bloom campaign, run by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), encourages communities to improve their local environment through horticultural achievement, environmental responsibility and community participation.

Entries are assessed on the quality, impact and care of planting, landscaping and green spaces, efforts to improve the local environment, encourage sustainable practices, support biodiversity and maintain attractive public spaces and how effectively organisations engage local businesses, residents, volunteers and partners in improving their area.

The awards follow a contingent from Newquay in Bloom giving South West in Bloom Awards judge Tim Eley a tour of the town on board the Newquay Lions minibus to see various projects on Thursday, July 24. The tour visited various areas including Hendra Holiday Park, the Gannel, the Killacourt, Broowfields and Trenance Gardens. Mr Eley met with Newquay BID manager Mark Warren to discuss its town enhancement projects such as the murals, bunting and the shopfront scheme.

Lesley Friel from Newquay in Bloom said: “Our Bloom team is thrilled with the gold award which crowns a very busy year for us.”

Mr Warren from Newquay BID added: “We are absolutely delighted with these results.

“To achieve gold in the Business Improvement District category is a real honour, and to see Newquay achieve another overall gold, alongside third place in the Art in the Landscape category, makes it an especially proud moment for the town.

“It’s also fantastic to see Hendra Tourist Park recognised with the Amberol Trophy. It’s a brilliant achievement and further demonstrates the quality and commitment of businesses in our area.

“I want to give a huge amount of credit to the Newquay Bloom team. They do an incredible job for the town, and the fact that they give their time as volunteers makes their achievement even more remarkable. Their hard work and commitment deserve enormous recognition.

“Our work at the BID is about much more than how the town looks. It’s about working collaboratively with our businesses, partners and the wider community to tackle challenges, improve our surroundings and create a place that people are proud to call home and businesses are proud to be part of.

“From shopfront improvements and street cleaning to murals, signage and supporting new businesses, every project plays a part in making Newquay a better place.

“We want Newquay to be an amazing place to visit throughout the year, not just during the peak summer season.

“These awards give us real encouragement to keep building on what we have started, and we look forward to continuing this work with our fantastic local businesses, partners and volunteers.”