SPATA & BISHTA AWARD WINNERS 2011
Pool and hot tub companies make a splash at annual industry awards
Some of the most innovative swimming pool and hot tub companies were celebrating on Sunday night (6 February) after collecting awards at the annual SPATA and BISHTA Awards.
 
The Swimming Pool and Allied Trade Association (SPATA) and British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association (BISHTA) Awards were held at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Hotel where SPATEX, the UK's largest swimming pool and hot tub exhibition, held its 15th annual trade show.
 
The big winner of the night was Portrait Pools & Enclosures (left) from Southport, Lancashire. They scooped ten awards in total including 'Domestic Pool of the Year'; 'The Dick Millward trophy for Pool Contractor of the Year' and gold, silver and bronze in the category of 'Residential Indoor Pools over £150,000'. They were closely followed by Tanby Swimming Pools who took home seven awards, including three golds. A number of companies gained BISHTA Awards, including Euphoria Lifestyle who had a clean sweep in the 'Residential Portable Hot Tub above £10,000' category, while Southern Spas and Saunas won the category of 'Best Innovative Spa' and were runners up in two other categories. Oyster Pools & Leisure was celebrating a great double, as they won the 'Peter Geekie Retail Excellence Award' (SPATA) and they won the 'Best Showroom' category in the BISHTA Awards.
 
The awards, organised by SPATA and BISHTA, highlight the achievements of the pool industry by showcasing the best examples of construction, design, installation and innovation.
 
Chris Hayes, Managing Director of both SPATA and BISHTA said: "This year was the 50th anniversary of SPATA and the 10th anniversary of BISHTA and the Awards once again benefitted from a large number of sponsors and we are very grateful for their support. The Awards created tough competition for the judges with a shortlist of 114 entries across 28 categories. The awards profile some excellent work from our members and demonstrate the value of choosing a SPATA member to build or renovate your pool and a BISHTA member to purchase a hot tub or swim spa from.

"SPATA and BISHTA host their awards evening at the SPATEX exhibition, part of the Pool Spa and Lifestyle Show, the UK's largest swimming pool and hot tub exhibition, which also held its 15th annual trade show at the Hilton Brighton Metropole Exhibition Centre over the weekend. This event sees companies from across the UK gather to showcase their most innovative products. We were delighted to recognise so many of the industry's hard working companies, these award winners demonstrate that swimming pools, spas and hot tubs bring more to the home than simply leisure; they can be a way to keep healthy, have fun with the children, as well as having relaxation time with family and friends."

The other 2011 SPATA & BISHTA category award winners were: