Rich Pickings

Hydropool UK showroom in Portsmouth, which boasts four operational swim spas and 15 hot tubs, was named Best Showroom.
Hydropool UK showroom in Portsmouth, which boasts four operational swim spas and 15 hot tubs, was named Best Showroom.

It was almost a clean sweep for Hydropool UK at the recent BISHTA awards evening, as the team walked away with two Gold and three Silver awards.

The Hydropool UK showroom in Portsmouth, which boasts four operational swim spas and 15 hot tubs, was named Best Showroom and Hydropool also took Gold in the Residential Hot Tubs in an Overseas Setting category, for a hot tub installation at a ski lodge in Geneva. Oyster Pools & Leisure was also among the big winners of the night, scooping Gold in the Residential Hot Tub Below £7,000 category, plus three Silver and two Bronze awards.

The Swim Spa and Exercise top award went to Pembrokeshire-based Castle Hot Tubs for the installation of an outdoor swim spa at a holiday cottage. The same project also won Gold in the Best Hot Tub in a Holiday Setting category. A highlight of the awards presentation was the Hot Tubs Change Lives category, which this year was won by Hot Tub Suppliers for a special installation for an eight-year-old boy with cerebral palsy. Christian was born prematurely and 18 months later was diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Unable to walk unaided, last year Christian was given the opportunity for an operation which would allow him to walk, but was told that he would also need extensive physiotherapy.

As the operation would not be funded by the NHS, Christian’s parents Paul and Yvette were advised that a hot tub with good hydrotherapy would help Christian whilst they began fundraising for the operation. A hot tub was installed at the family home by Hot Tub Suppliers, and since then regular use has aided Christian’s movement. Incredibly, Paul and Yvette reached the fundraising target of £50,000 and Christian received his life changing operation in December 2015.

They commented: “We used the hot tub as a part of preparing Christian for the operation and it will play an even more important part in his recovery.”

Other notable winners on the evening were North Spas who won the Residential Hot Tubs £14,000 and Over category with an outdoor hot tub installation for a young family. To minimise maintenance, Trexx Composite decking was added to reduce the risk of slipping and a pergola was constructed over the spa to create a shelter.

The Euphoria Lifestyle team were delighted to win a Gold award for their outstanding website, which was praised by the judges for its clean design with good use of video and brand consistency throughout. Euphoria Lifestyle also took Gold in the Residential Hot Tub £7,000 to £14,000 category and Silver in the £14,000 and Over category.

Complete Spas of Worcestershire picked up three awards on the evening; Silver in the Residential Hot Tubs £7,000 – £14,000 category, and two Bronze awards in the Residential Hot Tubs £14,000 and Over and Best Showroom categories.

 

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