Minister for Heritage &Tourism, John Penrose MP addressed over 300 delegates at the Somerset Tourism Association (STA) annual conference held at Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier in late November.
He spoke about the major changes taking place in the way destinations are marketed and praised the Somerset Tourism Association for getting together as a group to jointly market Somerset. Many of the Government’s Destination Marketing Organisations (DMO’s) are being closed down and the STA has joined together to market themselves as a destination.
He said: “The UK is excellent at promoting London, but once the tourists get there, they seldom leave. The STA is a fine example of how, in working together, they are promoting the whole of Somerset, not just the smaller towns and attractions. I see this as a model which I would like to be duplicated in other regions across the country”.
The conference was attended by all the owner operators of Puxton Park, Brean Leisure Park, Cheddar Caves, Wookey Hole Caves, Pontins and the West Somerset Railway.
Delegates were given a talk by Pier owner Kerry Michael. He spoke about the logistics of building a structure a quarter of a mile out to sea and the challenges the team have had to overcome to get the new Pavilion completed.
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Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Friday, 19 November 2010
MEMORIAL BALL TAKES AXENTIS MICHAEL CHAITABLE TRUST FUND TO
A ball held on the Grand Pier in memory of Weston-super-Mare hotelier Axentis Michael, raised £215,000 for the charitable trust set up in his name.
This Axentis Michael Memorial Ball, which is organised by the Michael family and is held bi-annually, has now raised total of £565,000 for local good causes.
Nine hundred guests attended the black tie event, which is the first major function to be held on the Grand Pier since it re-opened at the end of October. Actor John Cleese was the guest of honour at the ball on Saturday evening (27th November).
Other celebrity guests included Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden from Dragon’s Den and Somerset cricketers Andy Caddick, Marcus Trescothick, Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby. BBC Points West’s Alex Lovell and auctioneer and TV presenter Martin Roberts were on hand to help out with fundraising at the event.
A Citroen C1 car, donated by motor dealers, Howards raised over £11,000 when it was raffled during the event.
Axentis’ son and Pier owner Kerry Michael said: “This is the fourth memorial ball we have held, and the biggest so far. In previous years we were restricted to 500 guests as there wasn’t a venue in Weston-super-Mare big enough to take any more people.
“Before this year’s ball we set ourselves a target of breaking the half a million pound barrier in total monies raised and I am absolutely delighted to say we exceeded this by a massive £65,000.
“We have had some fantastic support and I cannot believe the generosity of all our friends and suppliers in the current economic climate. I would like to thank everyone who attended the event for their generosity”.
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This Axentis Michael Memorial Ball, which is organised by the Michael family and is held bi-annually, has now raised total of £565,000 for local good causes.
Nine hundred guests attended the black tie event, which is the first major function to be held on the Grand Pier since it re-opened at the end of October. Actor John Cleese was the guest of honour at the ball on Saturday evening (27th November).
Other celebrity guests included Theo Paphitis and Deborah Meaden from Dragon’s Den and Somerset cricketers Andy Caddick, Marcus Trescothick, Alfonso Thomas and Charl Willoughby. BBC Points West’s Alex Lovell and auctioneer and TV presenter Martin Roberts were on hand to help out with fundraising at the event.
A Citroen C1 car, donated by motor dealers, Howards raised over £11,000 when it was raffled during the event.
Axentis’ son and Pier owner Kerry Michael said: “This is the fourth memorial ball we have held, and the biggest so far. In previous years we were restricted to 500 guests as there wasn’t a venue in Weston-super-Mare big enough to take any more people.
“Before this year’s ball we set ourselves a target of breaking the half a million pound barrier in total monies raised and I am absolutely delighted to say we exceeded this by a massive £65,000.
“We have had some fantastic support and I cannot believe the generosity of all our friends and suppliers in the current economic climate. I would like to thank everyone who attended the event for their generosity”.
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Tuesday, 16 November 2010
BOXING EVENT CONFIRMED
The first public event to take place on Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier will be a Boxing evening, which Pier owners have confirmed will go ahead on Friday December 3rd.
Pier owner Kerry Michael says he is confident that this event will definitely go ahead, after the disappointment of cancelling some previously booked functions, due to delays with their contractors.
The Grand Pier has teamed up with Britain’s first officially licensed female boxer, Jane Couch MBE, to promote the amateur boxing event. It will be the first of many boxing events planned throughout the year.
A special guest at the event will be former WBC heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon. Other VIPs will be announced nearer the event.
Boxing on Weston’s Grand Pier dates back to 1904, when boxing matches took place in the 2,000 seat pavilion, along with opera, music hall and Shakespearean plays.
Amateur boxing clubs from around the South West region are being invited to sign up for the event. The evening will be one of the first big public events to be held in the brand new Pavilion building, which has the largest pillar-less performance space in the South West.
Jane Couch said: “Since I retired from boxing in 2008 I have become a boxing promoter and I am delighted to have been approached by the owners of the Grand Pier to help them stage their boxing matches. It’s great to see the traditional sport of boxing returning to the Grand Pier after its £51m re-build”.
Events will take place throughout the year in the Pavilion building, including concerts and fashion shows, along with weddings, conferences and corporate events.
Tickets for the event will go on sale shortly and are expected to cost from £10 for standing room. There will also be VIP tables available and the opportunity to attend a drinks reception with special guests.
Tickets are limited and are for sale on a first come, first served basis. To register your interest in the amateur boxing night email events@grandpier.co.uk or call 01934 646155.
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Pier owner Kerry Michael says he is confident that this event will definitely go ahead, after the disappointment of cancelling some previously booked functions, due to delays with their contractors.
The Grand Pier has teamed up with Britain’s first officially licensed female boxer, Jane Couch MBE, to promote the amateur boxing event. It will be the first of many boxing events planned throughout the year.
A special guest at the event will be former WBC heavyweight champion Tim Witherspoon. Other VIPs will be announced nearer the event.
Boxing on Weston’s Grand Pier dates back to 1904, when boxing matches took place in the 2,000 seat pavilion, along with opera, music hall and Shakespearean plays.
Amateur boxing clubs from around the South West region are being invited to sign up for the event. The evening will be one of the first big public events to be held in the brand new Pavilion building, which has the largest pillar-less performance space in the South West.
Jane Couch said: “Since I retired from boxing in 2008 I have become a boxing promoter and I am delighted to have been approached by the owners of the Grand Pier to help them stage their boxing matches. It’s great to see the traditional sport of boxing returning to the Grand Pier after its £51m re-build”.
Events will take place throughout the year in the Pavilion building, including concerts and fashion shows, along with weddings, conferences and corporate events.
Tickets for the event will go on sale shortly and are expected to cost from £10 for standing room. There will also be VIP tables available and the opportunity to attend a drinks reception with special guests.
Tickets are limited and are for sale on a first come, first served basis. To register your interest in the amateur boxing night email events@grandpier.co.uk or call 01934 646155.
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Wednesday, 6 October 2010
Press Statement 06/10/10
The owner of the new-look Weston Grand Pier today announced that it is hoped it will be open in time for the October half-term holidays.
Pier owner Kerry Michael made the following statement today:
Ever since the devastating fire of July 2008, the public interest in the Grand Pier has been immense.
“We continue to be surprised every day by the amount of interest in this wonderful iconic structure and I would like to share with you our forthcoming plans as we work towards the re-opening of the Grand Pier and Pavilion.
“We continue to work closely with our main contractors John Sisk and Son who have today confirmed that they expect to complete their works on the Pavilion by Friday the 22nd of October.
“They have also confirmed that we will have access from today to start fitting out the building with our fixtures and fittings.
“Assuming this all goes to plan, we believe that we can open in time for the school half-term holidays starting on October 23rd.
“We are confident that the new Pavilion, with its state-of-the-art rides, attractions, function rooms and wedding venues will be a big hit with locals and tourists alike.
“We have a full diary of events scheduled throughout the winter season including Christmas Parties and Boxing Matches. We will also be hosting the Grand Final of Miss Great Britain on December 4th.
“We have spent an incredible amount of time and money to deliver what we believe is the best Pier on the world. We hope you think so too.
Thank you.
Pier owner Kerry Michael made the following statement today:
Ever since the devastating fire of July 2008, the public interest in the Grand Pier has been immense.
“We continue to be surprised every day by the amount of interest in this wonderful iconic structure and I would like to share with you our forthcoming plans as we work towards the re-opening of the Grand Pier and Pavilion.
“We continue to work closely with our main contractors John Sisk and Son who have today confirmed that they expect to complete their works on the Pavilion by Friday the 22nd of October.
“They have also confirmed that we will have access from today to start fitting out the building with our fixtures and fittings.
“Assuming this all goes to plan, we believe that we can open in time for the school half-term holidays starting on October 23rd.
“We are confident that the new Pavilion, with its state-of-the-art rides, attractions, function rooms and wedding venues will be a big hit with locals and tourists alike.
“We have a full diary of events scheduled throughout the winter season including Christmas Parties and Boxing Matches. We will also be hosting the Grand Final of Miss Great Britain on December 4th.
“We have spent an incredible amount of time and money to deliver what we believe is the best Pier on the world. We hope you think so too.
Thank you.
Monday, 4 October 2010
IT’S ALL GO ON THE KART TRACK
Engineers are currently testing out the new Go Kart track on Weston-super-Mare’s Grand Pier. The 300 metre long track is the biggest ride on the Pier and cost £1 million to manufacture. It is the only electronic floor pick-up in the UK and runs over two levels.
The Go Karts are being run flat out to make sure they will be able to deal with the hundreds of people who want to have a go on this thrilling ride when the Grand Pier opens.
Ten karts are being run at a time, with ten others loading. Two additional karts have two seats so small children can ride with their parents.
The Go Kart track will be available for exclusive hire for birthday parties and corporate events. Experienced drivers will be able to drive at speeds of up to 60mph. There will even be a Go Kart school. Children from eight to 15 can sign up for the school which will take them through beginner, intermediate and advanced driver training.
Karting lessons can be booked on either Saturday or Sunday mornings from 9am to 10.30am. Each child will be issued with their own driving licence which will chart their progress through the school.
Regular Grand Prix events will be run from September where drivers can qualify, run in at least two heats and then take part in a final race to find the overall winner.
Pier owner Kerry Michael said: “Everyone always asks me about the Go Kart track. We had just built a new one when the Pavilion building was destroyed in the fire, so a lot of people remember that. This one is bigger and better and it is the first thing you notice when you walk into the Pavilion. Everyone wants to have a go, so we’re just making sure it is up to the job of being run flat out all day. I have no shortage of volunteers from my staff to help me do that”
For further information on corporate events or the Go Kart school email russell.mabley@grandpier.co.uk
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