Ossy Mills Triumphs at UK Coach Awards 2009

 Over 80 companies and organisations across the whole spectrum of UK coach tourism were recognised and rewarded for their excellence and good practice at the  UK Coach Awards, which took place on Friday 27 March at London’s prestigious Tower Hotel.

Oswaldtwistle Mills, known locally and affectionately as Ossy Mills, triumphed in the Most Coach Friendly Shopping Attraction category; designed to recognise and reward shopping attractions who have gone ‘that extra mile’ to accommodate, attract, and welcome coaches, their drivers and their passengers.

Located in Accrington, in five former weaving sheds, the complex covers 88,000 square feet and offers full disabled access; selling everything from arts and craft supplies to gadgets to furniture to locally produced foods. Over 1,600 coach parties have visited the Mill over the last two years: each and every one was personally greeted by a member of staff, and every visitor was provided with gratuity vouchers to use in store.  Oswaldtwistle has a dedicated group bookings team to advise visitors, and helps with catering, itinerary planning and even organising coach travel.

The UK Coach Awards 2009 took place at the Tower Hotel. The evening was compered by BBC Breakfast’s Carol Kirkwood and the awards themselves were presented by Wilben Short, Head of Transport, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games. Entertainment was provided by illusionist Nigel Meade and the cast of the smash hit West End musical Mamma Mia.

The event was timed to take place during British Tourism Week and to coincide with the Best of Britain and Ireland Travel Trade Forum at ExCeL in Docklands.

For Oswaldtwistle Mills o-mills.co.uk

For full list of winners click here