Conwy County Borough Council, official Host County for Wales Rally GB, has been recognised as Entrepreneurial Council of the Year at the prestigious annual LGC Awards in London.
A record number of more than 200 organisations entered this year’s awards, many of whom gathered in the capital’s Grosvenor House to celebrate good practice and fantastic achievement within local government.
The judges cited Conwy’s innovative and creative approach to providing the best possible services for its residents and businesses, including the council’s significant investment in hosting the UK round of the FIA World Rally Championship each November.
“It is fabulous to see Conwy’s events strategy being recognised nationally,” said Ben Taylor, Managing Director of Wales Rally GB. “The council makes a great commitment to the rally every year and their determination to support the event is a critical factor in making it such a success. Conwy deserves all the plaudits for its brave and ambitious approach and we look forward to continuing to work with them during the coming years.”
Wales Rally GB generates £10m for the Welsh economy as well as providing an effective platform to engage with industry and reach an international audience of 60 million people all around the world. Closer to home, local charities and good causes benefit by more than £40,000, resulting in schools, rugby clubs and community groups sharing in the spoils of the event.
Conwy stepped up to official Host County status in 2014 and Ceremonial Starts and Finishes have regularly been held on the packed streets of Conwy and Llandudno with a large proportion of the rally’s competitive stage mileage held in the County’s legendary forests.
“We’re absolutely delighted that Conwy has been recognised in this way. We have an impressive history of staging events in Conwy, and have developed valuable and rewarding partnerships with other organisations and event organisers like those behind Wales Rally GB,” said Graham Rees, Conwy’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, Marketing and Leisure after collecting the award.
“The commitment we have to investing resources and time into delivering our Events Strategy, and the targets we’ve set ourselves for the future, aim to make sure that the County will continue to reap the rewards that events like the UK round of the World Rally Championship can bring.”
Conwy County Borough Council will continue in its role of Host County for the 2015 Wales Rally GB 12-15 November.