Beverley has been presented with a prestigious national tourism award from the UK’s coach and bus industry.
The town has been awarded Coach Friendly Status by the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT), which represents the majority of bus and coach operators across the country.
Operators praised the town for its warm welcome and good facilities for coaches.
Retail Park, the Flemingate Centre also received a Coach Friendly Status award for a visitor attraction.
Being awarded Coach Friendly Status can help increase coach tourism as it proves the town meets the industry’s high standards.
Paul Acklam, managing director of Beverley-based Acklams Coaches and the CPT’s regional chairman for the Northern and Yorkshire region, presented the award to East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Mr Acklam said:
“Beverley has an excellent reputation with coach operators and in fact it was coach operators who recommended Coach Friendly Status to us for the town.
“It was awarded on the basis of a central drop-off point, free parking, meet and greet facility, a good welcome scheme for drivers and good signage.”
Councillor Symon Fraser, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s portfolio holder for strategic asset management, housing and environment, accepted the award on behalf of the town.
Councillor Fraser said:
“We are incredibly pleased to receive this award for Beverley and thank the CPT and its members for recognising the town in this way.
“It’s vital that we continue to attract coaches and their passengers to the town, and to the whole of the East Riding, because they give a huge boost to our economy.”
The Flemingate Centre was praised by the CPT for its free secure parking, warm welcome, offers for passengers and drivers, and availability of wheelchairs and scooters for hire.
Graham Tait, Flemingate Centre manager, said:
“We’re delighted to receive Visitor Attraction status in the Coach Friendly awards.
“Beverley is becoming a popular tourist destination, with more than 500 coaches a year bringing thousands of visitors to our wonderful market town.
“We ensure we give our coach passengers a very warm welcome with a meet and greet service, a map and guide to Beverley and discount vouchers for the stores here at Flemingate.
“We also look after the coach drivers with a meal voucher and a cinema ticket, so they can relax and unwind after a long drive.”
The Coach Friendly Status awards were launched by the CPT in 2003 to raise the profile of coaches and buses and the importance for towns, cities and villages to provide good parking, facilities and access for operators and passengers.
