SPOTLIGHT SHINES ON WATER LEISURE

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Tenth anniversary UK Pool & Spa Awards goes on-line…

Showcasing the best examples of swimming pool design from across the country, and around the world, the UK Pool & Spa Awards celebrated its tenth anniversary with a spotlight focused on pool industry people, projects and products. Winners across 30 categories in both commercial and residential water leisure sectors were announced during a virtual presentation that, due to Covid-19 limitations, replaced the traditional face-to-face business networking and gala dinner format. The You Tube broadcast has chalked up nearly 1500 combined views. Applauded for its high level of professionalism, the on-line presentation included well wishes from swimming pool personalities Sharron Davies and Stephen Parry. The sponsors of the competition also presented promotional videos. The 196 UK Pool & Spa Award entrants for 2020 were awarded gold, silver or bronze standard in the competition covering both home and public pool and spa facilities in a contest that attracted over 2,000 on-line votes and votes from judges, before being scrutinised by an independent jury.

HOME WELLNESS
Investment in back garden swimming pools, hot tubs and swim spas has soared by an estimated 60% across the domestic water leisure sector in 2020 as homeowners, unable to holiday during the global pandemic, instead opt to invest in wellness on their own doorsteps. Already estimated at some half a billion pounds annually, the UK home water leisure sector has seen an unprecedented rise in demand for both indoor and back garden leisure facilities this year. The demand is being driven by people who, unable to take their usual holidays either in the UK or abroad, are investing in relaxation, social and exercise opportunities in the convenience of their own home. Increased demand has the sector is struggling to keep up.
“Demand is far outstripping the market’s ability to provide with customers forced to wait up to a year for the supply of their hot tub, swim spa or home swimming pools,” advises water leisure industry expert, Christina Connor, managing director of Waterland Media. “Customers are having to wait as long as the summer of 2021 for the hot tubs of their choice as the impact of Covid-19, combined with delays of stock at UK docks, extend the order to delivery times across the market,” she says and adds: “Equally, people who want to take the plunge with a home swimming pool may have to wait up to 12 months for the specialist pool builders of their choice.” Another trend is increased investment in high-value projects as Christina advises: “Projects are becoming more involved and more expensive with a clear trend for people to improve rather than move by investing in their own leisure facilities for water related exercise, relaxation and home entertaining.” More information and a full list of winners can be found at www.ukpoolandspaawards.co.uk where entries open for the 2021 awards from May 1st.

THE WINNERS ARE…