Top beach award for popular Midlands tourist destination
Skegness beach being enjoyed in the peak season. Credit: ITV News Central
Skegness Central beach has been given a top tourism award for its cleanliness by litter campaign group Keep Britain Tidy.
The beach, which is popular with tourists from the Midlands, has met new European Union standards. It's one of 55 beaches across the UK to be awarded a Blue Flag.
Keep Britain Tidy operations director Richard McIlwain said: "We campaign to improve the quality of our local environment and we know that communities love their beaches and understand what an asset they are for their towns' economies.
Skegness beach in the summer. Credit: ITV News Central
Outdoor attractions in Midlands suffer due to snow
The recent heavy snowfall has cost tourist attractions in the Midlands huge sums of money.
Conkers in the heart of the National Forest in Derbyshire has 120 acres but 70% of its activities are outside which meant this time last week it was forced to close.
Snow forced Drayton Manor to close for first time in history
The recent heavy snowfall has cost tourist attractions in the Midlands huge sums of money.
Staffordshire theme park Drayton Manor was forced to close for three days last weekend for the first time in its history due to hazardous conditions for visitors, costing the business £750,000.
It took 50 members of staff with shovels and diggers to move 1,000 tonnes of snow from the grounds of the park.
The number of visitors to the attraction are 50% down compared to the same time last year.
Weather has huge financial impact on Midlands tourist attractions
Thomas Land in Drayton Manor is one of the attractions at the theme park
The snow and 'arctic conditions' have caused tourist attractions in the Midlands to lose huge amounts of cash as many had to close or turn away visitors.
Drayton Manor theme park in Staffordshire says it has lost around £750,000 and seen a 50% fall in the number of people visiting compared to the same time last year.
Stewart Allcock, the general manager of Calke Abbey says a weekend closure due to the heavy snow fall meant an annual event had to be cancelled, with a significant financial loss for the stately home.
