Soul man wins tourism lifetime achievement award

Richard Routledge has been named as the business superstar for his lifetime achievement in the sector at the annual "Oscars" handed out by the tourism and business community.

He has played soul and funk music to crowds attending his Richard's Parties at hotels, holiday parks and nightclubs across the region, and across the UK, between the 1980s and his finale last year. In a shift of tempo in recent years he also ran tea dances at hotels.

The awards are made by the Greater Yarmouth Tourism and Business Improvement Area, whose president David Marsh praised Mr Routledge for "making people happy over 35 years" while raising funds for charities including Breast Cancer, Barnados, and Eczema Research.

Mr Routledge was presented with his award at an awards ceremony in the Town Hall attended by nearly 200 guests on Wednesday March 21.

The rising star award went to Jack Button, who runs Jack's Jetty Snacks on the Golden Mile, setting up the business after opting out of university.

SW1, a new restaurant opened by former Imperial Hotel chef Simon Wainwright at the former Key Largo on Quay Road near Gorleston harbour mouth, won the new business accolade.

There were double successes for the Sea Life Centre and Redwings horse sanctuary at Caldecott. The Sea Life Centre was co-winner of the investment category with Sentinel who have revamped the Phoenix Pool at Bradwell, and outright winner of the customer service award. Redwings triumphed in the working team category and the marketing award thanks to a sensitive promotional campaign after the death of a star adoption horse.

Allen's Butchers at Hemsby, now being run by the fifth generation of the family, lifted the award for the best family-owned business.

Fusion hair salon in Gorleston won the community category for its work with clients suffering with hair loss from alopecia and cancer.

Andover House Hotel in Camperdown, Great Yarmouth picked up the business website award.

Awards were presented by the Deputy Mayor of Great Yarmouth Malcolm Bird.

Category winners (and other finalists):
Investment: joint winners Sea Life Centre / Sentinel Leisure Trust
Business Website - winner Andover House Hotel, Great Yarmouth (other finalists: Fusion, Joyland)
New Business -SW1, Gorleston (Belly Boos, Beach Hut Café)
Customer Service -Sea Life Centre (The Kensington, The Knights Court)
Marketing - Redwings (The Kensington, Fusion)
Community - Fusion (Belton Fun Day, Sentinel)
Family Owned - Allens Butchers Hemsby (Barnard House, Andover Hotel)
Rising Star - Jack Button (Tom Haddon, Eleanor Hindley)
Working Team - Redwings (Seachange Arts, The Hippodrome)
Lifetime Achievement - Richard Routledge

Press Release Issued on behalf of GYTBIA, March 21, 2018