Nov 122011
 

Aberdeen Sports Village, a partnership between the University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen City Council and sportscotland, has been short-listed in the category of “Newcomer of the Year” at this year’s prestigious National Fitness Awards.  With thanks to Dave Macdermid and The Big Partnership.

The Awards were launched last year to honour operators from across the UK in the health and fitness industry.  The category of Newcomer of the Year is aimed at facilities who have been operating for less than 2 years (as of March 2011), and who have made their mark within the industry in terms of facilities, services and innovation.

The Sports Village has been nominated in this very closely contested category, against new sports facilities, health clubs and gyms from across the whole of the UK.  They impressed the judges, not only with the impressive facilities on site, but also with the numerous high quality activities and services available to everyone in the community.

Jan Griffiths, Sports Development Manager at Aberdeen Sports Village, said:

“The Sports Village strives to be at the cutting edge regarding all aspects of sport, fitness and health, and we are passionate about everything we do.  The local community have really embraced the ethos of the Village, and we are privileged to be able to support and educate our customers in such a welcoming environment.”

The winners in each category at the National Fitness Awards will be announced on Friday 25 November at their Awards Dinner at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.

Nov 082011
 

 Air travel is crucial for business investment and for Aberdeen’s future as an energy hub.  The Big Partnership explains all on behalf of NESTRANS in a press release sent to the Aberdeen Voice.

Leading bodies in the tourism industry have backed the campaign undertaken by Nestrans,  to urge the European Union to exert powers to protect the current level of slots to and from Aberdeen at London’s Heathrow airport.

Andrew Martin, of the Scottish Centre of Tourism, is under no illusion as to the importance of the service.

“For Aberdeen to remain a significant business centre, the city has to have fast and easy links to the capital. Major oil and gas companies need to be able to send their executives to London and likewise the energy capital has to be able to receive business tourists into Aberdeen.

“While Aberdeen has been successful with business tourism and the four day midweek market and the three day leisure market is vitally important. Leisure tourists from Heathrow are vital for this high spending niche.

 “The link is also crucial for the conference market, vital to the local economy, while most international tourists route through Heathrow.”

These views are echoed by Stephen Gow, Chairman of the Aberdeen City and Shire Hotel Association.

“The regular connection into Heathrow is essential to the area as it gives access to one of the major international airline hubs and also a short connection into the centre of London.

“In addition,  it gives easy access from the south to the international businesses located in and around Aberdeen and the economic benefit of having this link cannot be overestimated.”

In addition to collating the views of businesses and  individuals, Nestrans is currently looking for politicians to add their weight to the debate in advance of the UK Government’s aviation consultation, from which the EU will consider options for aviation policy going forward.