The UK’s combined water leisure industry was praised by Olympian Sharron Davies MBE, as the industry rolled out the red carpet for the 2016 UK Pool & Spa Awards.
The popular sports personality and TV presenter was the guest speaker at the awards ceremony which returned to the prestigious Vox conference centre part of the World Resort complex on Birmingham’s NEC site.
Fresh from the Rio Olympics this summer, Sharron was full of praise for the UK’s growing pool and spa sector: “The UK’s provision of swimming pools has come a long way in the last few years, mainly on the back of the 2012 Olympics.
“We now have more 50m pools than ever before and more people have access to swimming facilities – which is great for the public, the pool industry and the country as a whole,” she added.
“Swimming has been such an important part of my life and I’m delighted to see such improvements not just in the number of pools, but also in the quality of the pools that we have in the country today.”
Showcasing the fi nest examples of pool and spa design and build from across the country, 156 swimming pools and hot tub projects were recognised at the 2016 UK Pool & Spa Awards, which is open to the entire water leisure industry. Winners across 27 categories were presented with trophies and certificates at the awards ceremony by over 200 of the industry’s key personnel including leisure operators, pool builders, designers, hot tub manufacturers and retailers.
Christina Connor, Editor of the industry’s leading trade publication Swimming Pool Scene, organiser of the event, commented: “The UK Pool & Spa Awards are all about raising the profile of individual companies and the industry as a whole. Recognising outstanding work from exceptional companies is good news all round.”
