Cheshire East Council among winners at Marketing Cheshire Awards

Cheshire East Council has scooped a top tourism award for one of its landmark events at the Marketing Cheshire Awards.

The annual awards, held at Chester Racecourse, celebrated the achievements of Cheshire-based organisations in a glittering ceremony and united some of the most popular tourist attractions in the county.

Cheshire East’s visitor economy was worth £895m in 2016, with 3615 people employed-(full time equivalent 2840).

Cheshire’s Stage Three of the Tour of Britain took place in September 2016 and departed from Congleton, before concluding in Tatton Park, Knutsford. The event generated more than £3.5m for the local economy and 300,000 visitors flocked to towns, villages and local venues in the borough to watch the race.

The organisation of this large-scale event required joint working between many different internal departments at the authority, such as colleagues in highways, public health, communications, and planning, with the cultural economy team taking a lead role to unite the efforts of all stakeholders.

Many other partners including Cheshire police also helped to ensure that the event was a great success. The collaborative efforts of these stakeholders were recognised through this award and displayed the council’s ability to host major public events safely to a high standard.

Councillor Paul Bates, Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for finance and communications, who accepted the award, said: “This award is testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone who helped to organise the Stage Three Tour. It brought significant financial and economic benefits to the borough, including a lasting legacy of cycling in the area. The race also received fantastic support from town parishes and local communities, who decorated the route throughout Cheshire East and turned out in full force on the day.

“I am delighted that we have been recognised with this award and to have been able to have joined in the shared celebration of Cheshire’s thriving economy on the night.”