Agenda and minutes
PDF 100 KBVenue: Aston Hall Hotel
Contact: Democratic Services Officer
| No. | Item |
|---|---|
|
Tour of Aston Hall Hotel Minutes: Members of the Forum were given a guided tour of the Hotel and its facilities. |
|
|
Welcome and Introduction Chaired by Aston Hall Hotel Minutes: Sue France, PR Manager Tomahawk Hotels Ltd, welcomed everyone to the Forum meeting at Aston Hall.
She explained that the venue was part of a group which included Woodlands in Leeds and the Great Victoria in Bradford. The hotel was purchased in February, 2005 and renovation had been on-going. Emphasis had been placed on spectacular furnishings and fittings. Expansion was planned in the Summer for 29 bedrooms, fully DDA compliant, together with 2 further meeting rooms. Also the Lodge by the entrance to the drive was being converted into 6 suites, and a Spa was to be developed. The planned finish for the works was April 2008.
The 55 acres of grounds were also use for corporate events and outdoor pursuits e.g. Quad biking, clay pigeon shooting etc. It was also proposed to erect a permanent marquee which could be used for weddings. |
|
|
Update on Rotherham Tourism Activities - Rotherham Visitor Centre - Group Travel - Overseas - Charter Mark including Business and Industry Survey Minutes: Joanne Edley, RMBC Tourism Manager, reported on the following:-
(i) Staffing:-
Clare Warsop was now Clare Trueman, and was on maternity leave Dawn Runciman was now Dawn Campbell Michelle Mellor had now returned to work after maternity leave.
(ii) Charter Mark for Tourism Services:-
This was based on customer satisfaction with services, and identified areas for improvement. 250 questionnaires would be sent out in May 2007 and all recipients were urged to complete and return them. A similar exercise would be carried out for Yorkshire South Tourism to enable a comparison across South Yorkshire.
(iii) Visitor Centre Customer Satisfaction Survey:–
This had indicated an increase in usage and the full details were being analysed with the results available in the next 2 weeks.
(iv) New publications:-
Karen Oliver, RMBC Assistant Tourism Officer, reported on the following:-
(i) Rotherham Visitor Centre:-
- Book a Bed Ahead Scheme:- 195 bookings had been taken (April 06 to March 07). The target was to increase this by 5% in 07/08.
- Visitor numbers:- the target was 68,000 – this would be increased to 72,000
(ii) Group Travel:- a guide had been produced in partnership with Yorkshire South Tourism had been aimed at the coach operators and travel organisers. A familiarisation visit was planned for the Autumn 07.
(iii) Overseas promotion:- in conjunction with Yorkshire South the Service had attended the Holiday Shows in Dublin and Belfast, where the “Inspiring Places” guide had been distributed together with the promotion of routes from Doncaster airport.
(iv) Translations:- work was on-going with Natalie Hunter, RMBC’S Project Officer (European & International Affairs) to translate various guides into German, Polish and French.
Natalie Hunter, RMBC Project Officer (European & International Affairs), reported on the following:-
Partnership with Riesa:-
A placement was being sought for a student from Riesa who was coming to work for one year in the tourist industry and improve their language skills. A three to four month placement was therefore being sought. Further details could be obtained from Natalie on ( 01709 8222795.
Football connections:-
Connection had been made with Istbena in Poland who have a football team also called The Millers like Rotherham. The representative, Peter, had offered to source someone to translate the new Attractions Guide and it had been sent for them to translate into Polish. This document would then be included on the website with a hyperlink to Istbena information. |
|
|
Yorkshire South Tourism Conferences Yorkshire South Tourism Conferences Minutes: Caroline Wilson and Emma France, Yorkshire South Tourism, spoke to the meeting about the following:-
(i) Yorkshire South Tourism – progress:-
IT infrastructure for the collection, updating, distribution of information, and for transactions/reservations together with other commercial activity was now on-line. This was Yorkshire wide and used also by Yorkshire Tourist Board and Yorkshire Forward. A similar system had been set up in Cumbria, Kent and York. It was a web based system accessible via broadband. Training had been given to the staff of the staff Tourist Information Centres across the sub-region.
The system had been loaded with current data. However this now required updating. Organisations would shortly receive a flyer on which to up date their details. Once the information was in the system organisations would be able to update this themselves, following training being provided. Yorkshire South and the YTB in parallel were developing new websites and these should be ready in 8 weeks time.
Where and how the information was published depended on:-
(i) where the organisation wanted it published (ii) the type of accommodation being provided and whether it was quality assessed (iii) whether the organisation was a member of the partnership scheme
The following benefits were highlighted:-
www.guestlink.co.uk gave an overview of how the system looked from a providers point of view.
Emma France spoke about conference management by Yorkshire South Tourism:-
Reference was made to the potential value of the UK business tourism industry and it was noted that Yorkshire was under performing in this area of business tourism despite having the product, attractions etc.
Therefore target markets were being approached internationally and UK based. Corporate bodies etc were already making bookings for events in 2010/2011. There was also a niche market to provide incentives for smaller groups of 5 to 6 people.
Work to date included:-
One of the main changes had been to the way in which enquiries were dealt with and Gemma and Kerrie in the Yorkshire South hub office now covered this aspect, along with Anne Grayson, from RiDO, and Ian Guy from Doncaster MBC.
It was pointed out that the success of the work was measured using:-
|
|
|
Magna How they achieved their Awards and Quality standards Minutes: Helen Smith, Operations Director at Magna, spoke about her background and current work at Magna.
Helen made reference to:-
|
|
|
Throapham House Guest Accommodation Throapham House Guest AccommodationExample of Best Practice – How they achieved an Assessment Grade of 5 stars and a Gold Award. Minutes: Bob and Ann Holland owners of Throapham House Guest Accommodation spoke about how they came to set up their business.
Their house had given them the opportunity to set up a high quality b & b in the area. They had expertise in regeneration, engineering/technology and ICT, and also in dealing with Objective 1.
They had been awarded 5*’s and a Gold Award at their first try and were being upheld as an example of best practice. The 3 guest rooms had been refurbished. All were en suite and included broadband internet and wireless connections. One was fitted out as “luxury”. The rooms were cleaned personally by Ann and all procedures and routes were written down. Emphasis had been placed on finishing touches and their ability to make guests feel special. They divided up the tasks with Bob dealing with breakfast, and both like to be in to greet their guests and help with luggage, and also to be there when they were leaving.
They pointed out that their own standards were viewed as a minimum. They had received support and guidance from Business Link South Yorkshire and a grant from the Rural Business Growth fund. They extended their thanks to Joan Binns for her help.
They had adopted a Buy Local policy and only employed local South Yorkshire businesses for labour, and for supplies. Breakfast goods were bought locally and they were also trying to grow some of their own produce.
They were already on the Guest Link Scheme. |
|
|
Update from the RMBC Events and Promotions Officer - including information on Rotherham in Bloom Minutes: Dawn Campbell, RMBC Events and Promotions Officer, reported on:-
(i) Farmers’ Market
Launch of first Farmers’ Market on Effingham Street, with 18 stalls and entertainment. In the longer term the South Yorkshire Councils were working with the Food Group to promote the area beyond its boundaries. The Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Food Group had a mobile kitchen and Andy Gabbitas, chef, would purchase local ingredients at the market and cook them. The event was opened by Rotherham’s Mayor and there was a Hamper Competition. Recipe cards were also given out and there was food tasting.
It was hoped in the future to invite hoteliers to meet the traders to discuss using local produce.
(ii) Big Screen Events
Rotherham’s screen was run in partnership with the BBC to deliver large scale events in the town centre.
It was proposed to screen:-
Royal Opera House events:-
31st May – Swan Lake ballet 13th June – Don Giovanni – opera 3rd July – Tosca – opera
The events were free.
Churchills café/bistro remained open with a late licence to sell alcohol. Also a temporary licence for the Square had been applied for. Tables and chairs would be provided and specific people would be invited to bring a picnic and drink etc.
(iii) 800th Anniversary of the town’s Market Charter
The Charter was granted by King John in 1207. Markets and events were planned to celebrate this event including:-
Medieval Market – 3rd and 4th August in the town centre 6th August – plant and garden market 7th – traditional street market 8th to 11th - Continental Market It was also proposed that there would be charity stands and displays at Clifton Park Museum, and history lessons for school children. |
|
|
Question and Answer Session for speakers Minutes: (i) Brett Ainsworth, IBIS, referred to the surroundings of MAGNA and how this would be improved.
It was explained that Magna was the first regeneration project. Other developments on Sheffield Road had been matched funded by the sale of land and this was being developed for a Business Park and for Business Incubation in conjunction with RiDO.
There were also new developments from the M1 along Sheffield Road.
It was also reported that the Council had funded gateways improvement projects along the main roads into Rotherham. The work along Sheffield Road was being carried out in conjunction with Sheffield City Council.
(ii) Roy Newman asked how the up-take of rooms in hotels was checked.
It was explained that there had been a hotel study through Yorkshire South to assess whether any new hotel developments would be worthwhile in the next 10 years. That study would be completed at the end of May and it would help any planning applications and the Local Development Framework. The study would include guest accommodation, hotels, camping and caravanning.
The indication at the moment was that the area did not need any more travel accommodation. The Council’s Planning Services were also waiting for this study before considering any planning applications.
It was added that some hotels would disclose this information, whilst others considered it commercially sensitive. However in general the hotels were busy Monday to Thursday and not so busy Friday to Sunday. Work was therefore being done on weekend packages, Bank Holidays in particular.
(iii) John Silker, General Manager at Hellaby Hall Hotel, explained that he was on the Board of the Destination Management Partnership for the sub-region i.e. Yorkshire South. He explained that he had been working over the past 3 to 4 years to develop the sub-region so that hotels and attractions etc could sell Rotherham, Sheffield, Doncaster and Barnsley. He pointed out that it was vital to sell all the hotels and venues etc in the area otherwise they would not bring in the international travellers, and these were very much needed in this area.
He reported that occupancy in his hotel was 70% on average over the whole year. From Monday to Thursday it was normally 90%, through business, events and corporate bookings.
He re-iterated that some of the hotels which belonged to a larger organisation would not divulge their occupancy figures.
He emphasised that the area had a unique product, with reference to the Robin Hood Airport, motorway infrastructure, MAGNA (noting that Hallam was bringing in a large international conference and event).
It was crucial that everyone worked together in the sub-region.
Emma France from Conference Yorkshire South pointed out those attractions had to offer people who came to their stand at trade fairs something in addition, so it was important to sell the sub-region. Only in this way would the area attract national and international businesses.
(iv) Publications and links to websites
It was reported that Rotherham’s website linked to the ... view the full minutes text for item 55. |
|
|
News/Information Items from Forum Members Minutes: (i) Hellaby Hall Hotel
John Silker made reference to the work of the team at Hellaby Hall and to the £1.1m which had been spent on the hotel
(ii) Magna
Reference was made to the new developments at Magna which had been part funded by Yorkshire Forward who recognised the potential of the area.
(iii) Accreditation Scheme
Hotel suppliers etc were being encouraged to apply to be assessed so that the Tourism Service in Rotherham and Yorkshire South could help promote them. It was reported that the a new grant scheme was available this year. Details could be obtained from the Tourism Service.
(iv) No Smoking Legislation
It was pointed out that would take effect on 1st July. Literature and information about the legislation was available from the Tourism Officers if needed.
(v) Aston Hall
The Management staff of Aston Hall were thanked for their hospitality in offering their facilities for today’s meeting of the Forum. |
|
|
Date, time and venue for next meeting Minutes: Members of the Forum agreed, that in view of all the developments which were now taking place in the area, that they would like meetings every four months.
The next meeting would be scheduled for early September, 2007, and arrangements would be made to hold the Forum meeting at the South Yorkshire Transport Museum. The preferred timing was from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Sue France, thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting. |
