TOURISM

The Bowgie Inn has joined forces with ZLC Energy to install renewable and low carbon energy solutions in a bid to become more sustainable.

As part of its recent refurbishment, The Bowgie Inn in Crantock has taken big steps in its efforts to increase energy efficiency and reduce its carbon footprint. The historic Cornish pub was granted planning consent in 2018 and has been working closely with ZLC Energy to implement a number of renewable solutions ever since.

Bowgie Inn owner Sally Pickles explained: “We first teamed up with ZLC Energy in 2017, when they installed a solar PV system at The Bowgie. Their work and values were so in line with the vision we have for our pub, a lot of the decisions made around our refurbishment were made with ZLC in mind.

“It’s been particularly rewarding partnering with them to design bespoke solutions for The Bowgie. Parts of the building here date back to the 1700’s so to bring such a historic venue into the eco-friendly, sustainable present has been so exciting.”

The solar PV system included 21kw of solar panels and three inverters to generate electricity directly from sunlight. A ground heat source pump has also been installed, which supplies underfloor heating throughout the bar.

ZLC managing director, Matthew Shepherd, added: “We’ve really enjoyed working on these two projects with The Bowgie. It’s great to see a family-run business investing in the future with renewable technologies such as solar PV and GHSP, adding a new green chapter to their history - we can’t wait to work with them on more exciting and progressive projects moving forward.”

Lettings agency Aspects Holidays has opened a new office in Wadebridge.

Property manager Jules Harrison has been appointed to run the new office, with the support of Morgan Tocher who will be working for Aspects Holidays and sister company, Pure Management.

Commercial director, Mandy Spencer, said: “We are so pleased to have opened our latest office in Wadebridge. Having a hub in this perfectly positioned spot means we can now help owners looking for a fully managed holiday letting service for properties in areas like Padstow, Rock, Polzeath, Port Isaac and Wadebridge itself.”

Skybus flights to the Isles of Scilly from Cornwall Airport Newquay are being reintroduced next month.

Isles of Scilly Travel is resuming its Skybus services from Newquay on May 1, with scheduled flights available to book until October 23.

Flights from Newquay have been on hold in recent months owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting UK lockdowns.

Stuart Reid, chief executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group which operates Skybus fixed-wing flight services, said: “We are excited to be reintroducing Skybus flights for our popular Newquay route. The service will add choice for passengers wishing to visit the Isles of Scilly, in addition to our existing services from Land’s End Airport and Exeter Airport.” Newquay, added: “We recognise how important these lifeline services are for the islands’ population, as well as for connecting leisure passengers from across the UK when tourism is able to restart. We have made significant progress in rebuilding our network, and I’m delighted that Isles of Scilly residents will be able to share the benefits of this.”

Leading hotelier Martin Barlow received one of the top accolades at the Cornwall Tourism Awards.

Barlow, who is proprietor at the Budock Vean Hotel, was recognised for his Outstanding Contribution to Tourism, while Watergate Bay’s Ben Harper took the prize for Business Leader.

In total, 74 awards were presented across 27 categories during an innovative online awards day hosted by Daphne Skinnard and awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism.

“I am delighted to receive this award,” said Barlow. “We don’t achieve things on our own in this business and so this is for the whole team at BV. They are a fantastic, dedicated team, many of whom have been at BV as long as I have, some longer. Thank you to Robin Barker and his team for their determination in organising these awards, despite the challenging circumstances, and giving us all the opportunity to showcase the rich variety and quality of Cornwall’s hospitality businesses.”

Barker added: “It would have been very easy to cancel the awards this year – we did think long and hard about it, but the level of early entries we received in spite of everything, and the creativity and determination shown by entrants inspired us to find a way to make this happen – and your responses and feedback ever since have completely blown us away.”

Among the other top winners was Landal Gwel an Mor, winning Gold for Holiday Park of the Year as well as awards for Access, Small Attraction, Spa and Wellbeing, and Wedding Venue.

Sara’s Cottage was another multiple winner picking up golds for Access and Self Catering, while Mullion Cove Hotel and Spa took gold for Small Hotel and Carlyon Bay Hotel the gold for Large Hotel.

The Old Embassy House took the gold for B&B and Guesthouse of the Year with Polmanter Touring Park and Ekopod taking the final two accommodation golds for touring park and glamping.

The Cornish Seal Sanctuary showed its further improvements taking gold in both the Wildlife Friendly and Dog Friendly categories with Paradise Park also taking two golds for Large Visitor Attraction and Experience of the Year. The Shipwreck Treasure Museum took the Small Attraction gold, with Treseren winning gold for Wedding Venue and St Moritz Hotel gold for Tourism Innovation. It was good to see Falmouth Oyster Festival 2019 taking the gold for Tourism Event of the Year and Visit Newquay Tourist Information the gold for Visitor Information.

Food and drink businesses were also recognised with Teacup Tearoom winning gold for Café/ Tearoom of the Year, The Pandora Inn for Pub of the Year (for the fourth year running) and Bango Kitchen the gold for Restaurant and Casual Dining.

Prestigious golds also went to The Sanctuary Cornwall for Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, and to Cove24 Restaurant and Bar in the New Tourism Business category.

The awards also recognised five ‘Unsung Heroes’ who had gone above and beyond during 2020. These were Gary Zammit of Feadon Wildlife Centre, Kim Spencer of SECTA, Patrick Trembath of PK Porthcurno, Robert Hawkins of Martha’s Orchard and Sally Pickles from The Bowgie Inn.

For a full list of winners and finalists, visit cornwalltourismawards.org.uk