Cleethorpes retains prestigious Blue Flag accolade for another year
THE sun is shining, the day-trippers are arriving and the prestigious blue flag is flying once more in Cleethorpes.
Cleethorpes has retained its Blue Flag status for another year – signalling it is one of the best beaches in the country.
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BESIDE THE SEASIDE: From left, Nick Parsons, Scarlet Parsons and Estelle Sparkes, visiting Cleethorpes from Worcestershire. Picture: Abby Ruston
After a run of achieving it each year, the status was lost in 2008 following the devastating floods of 2007, which affected the water quality.
It was regained in 2009 and continued to fly in 2010.
Awarded by Keep Britain Tidy, it is an essential accolade for any beach resort as it helps to attract more tourists to the area.
Executive director of community services at North East Lincolnshire Council, Andrew Milner said: "This is fantastic news. It reinforces the message that Cleethorpes is a safe, clean and fun place for all the family to be. It is the established riviera of Lincolnshire.
"Cleethorpes has always been a popular place to visit and we are already enjoying a great start to the season.
"The flag is a mark of the high standards of the beach and water and Cleethorpes as an overall experience is absolutely wonderful."
The resort is one of four beaches to receive the blue flag in the East Midlands.
And it wasn't just the central resort shining, as both Cleethorpes Marine Embankment and the Humberston Fitties scooped Quality Coast Awards.
The awards come after the town enjoyed its busiest start to the season yet, with the sunny weather bringing in scores of tourists.
Chairman of Tourism North East Lincolnshire, Owen Taylor, said: "We couldn't wish for a better start to the season and the flag has topped that off for us.
"We don't blow our own trumpets enough in Cleethorpes. We don't tell people how great it is here but hopefully we will start to.
"The season will last as long as we keep interest in the resort going, and if the weather continues, we are headed for a great year."
Councillor Chris Shaw, who also owns the Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway in the resort added: "Cleethorpes is doing really well and getting the blue flag is a statement about the high quality of the resort.
"It says a lot about the beach in general."
Comments
by PK, Not on the Beach
Tuesday, May 10 2011, 5:36PM
“Amazed at the beach getting a Blue Flag.
After all the water is from most of NE Engalnd rivers, just shows how the water treatment works inland are working.
The beach itself is nice up the Prom near the concrete, go out at low tide and there's still that squidgy stuff, fine mud between the toes. That'll never change.
With the water always cold, the Beach is the best place to stay, so get out the Windbreaks and Sun Tan stuff. Relax and listen to the crowds visiting the resort.
You can't beat a 'Day at The Seaside'
I do like to be beside the Seaside!!”