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Oswaldtwistle Mills Shopping Village have won a prestigious Group Travel Award for the fourth year running.

The complex was voted “Best Market, Mill Shop or Factory Outlet for Groups” by readers of Group Travel Organiser magazine, beating off competition from Boundary Mill, Colne, Clarkes Village, Somerset, De Bradelei Wharf, Dover, Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth, Lowry Outlet Mall, Manchester & McArthur Glen, Swindon

This category was created in 2005 and Oswaldtwistle Mills is proud to have won this award for four consecutive years, which proves the consistent popularity of the shopping village with the Group Visitor market.

Director of the complex, Boyd Hargreaves, said “Retail shopping for Groups has been growing in popularity at Oswaldtwistle Mills ever since we targeted this audience from the late nineties. During 2007 we received 1250 Group visits and I am happy to report we look like exceeding this figure for 2008. To win our category for a fourth year running is a great achievement.”

The variety of awards that Oswaldtwistle Mills have won over the years are testament to the amount of time dedicated to the marketing and promotion of the complex and its tourism initiatives which encourage visitors to spend more in the local area. Oswaldtwistle Mills has been commended for its guided tours of the Ribble Valley and “Shop &…” itineraries promoting the complex alongside 25 other East Lancashire Attractions including East Lancashire Railways, Foulridge Canal Cruises, Townley Hall and Accrington Market.

A report by Locum Destination Consultants recently stated that “Oswaldtwistle Mills is a private sector operation that is acting as a very effective destination marketing partnership. It is probably doing a lot more to attract tourists to the area and service their needs better than any public sector led initiatives”

Yet, despite this success, the complex refuses to rest on its laurels. Oswaldtwistle Mills is investing over £3 million into a new gourmet visitor attraction “The Northern Ingredient” due to open December 2008 which will include a restaurant and bar, culinary theatre, guest producer area. Retailers include: The Crumbly Cheese Deli, Ye Olde Sausage Shop, Vom Fass, The Cultured Bean Coffee, Tea & Chocolate Store, Pancake Express & Smoothie Bar and Specialist Fishmonger.

Talking about plans for the future, Boyd Hargreaves said “We will continue to develop our offer for group visitors at Oswaldtwistle Mills and hopefully we can do enough next year to make it 5 in a row.”

IMAGE: Oswaldtwistle Mills’ Group Booking Manager Barbara Banks is presented with the Award by BBC Newsreader Mishal Hussain and Jamie Cash from Group Travel Organiser magazine at the ceremony at Radisson SAS Portman Hotel in London

ENDS

For further information please contact Tracy Leeming on 01254 391131 or email tleeming@hilden.co.uk.

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