VisitEngland scores St.Helens a quality destination

4th October 2010

Haydock Park Racecourse has been awarded the VisitEngland Quality Assured Racecourse accreditation, giving their stamp of approval for the North West’s premier racing attraction.

This new quality scheme is the first of its kind in the country for sport – with the Sport of Kings - horse racing, being the first sport to be assessed in this way.

The whole visitor experience is assessed as part of the scheme, including the welcome on arrival, catering, signage and the actual sporting event itself. The scheme is supported by Racing For Change, the national racing association, in partnership with VisitEngland.

This racing accolade is hot on the heels of two other recent tourism quality awards in St.Helens. Dream, the spectacular award winning sculpture at Sutton Manor, was recently chosen by Visit England to launch their Places of Interest Quality Assurance Scheme (PIQAS), which is the only place in the North West to gain the accreditation. In addition, The World of Glass, which recently commemorated its 10th year anniversary, also celebrated being awarded the VisitEngland ‘Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme’ (VAQAS) award for the seventh year running.

Councillor Grunewald, St.Helens Council added: “We are delighted that England’s national tourism agency VisitEngland has once again recognised the quality offer for visitors in St.Helens. Haydock Park attracts significant numbers of visitors from the region and beyond to its Race days and Music Nights. St.Helens Tourism & Leisure businesses are a vital part of the economic development of the area. We are delighted that our visitor attractions are offering quality accredited services to visitors and residents alike.”

Dickon White, Haydock Park Racecourse’s Managing Director, said: “I am delighted with the results of our assessment which demonstrates that our staff provide an excellent experience for our visitors. The VisitEngland Quality Assured plaque will act as an endorsement showing visitors that a day’s racing is a quality experience and great value for money.”