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Business Hive Summer BBQ

Like many small businesses, we struggle to put ourselves out there. It’s not because we don’t want to, but between work admin, life on the farm – yes, we’re farmers too – and family life, finding the time to actively promote ourselves and The Old Granary is challenging, and it often falls to the bottom of the pile. 

We know we’re far from alone, it’s something so many business owners struggle with but we made a promise to ourselves earlier this year to stop dropping the ball and make more of an effort to make marketing our business a priority. 

One of the first steps in that plan was to make more of the incredible local network of businesses by joining The Business Hive. It was a move that has already paid off as we were offered the opportunity to host the Hive’s Summer BBQ. Our first event (more on that later!) that took place on Tuesday (July 16, 2024). 

With both of us returning to Lincolnshire and to The Old Granary, from events careers in big cities, events are something we absolutely adore putting together and hosting. All the prep, all the plans and all the hustle, when it comes together successfully like this event did, it makes it all the hard work worth it. 

The BBQ was a great day for everyone, as we gathered in the sun with some familiar faces and some new ones too. More than ‘just a networking event’, this was an opportunity for us to connect with local business people and really strengthen our relationships. Corporate bookings are a vital part of our business and keep it alive in the quieter months when visitor numbers tend to lull. So to be able to gather a big contingent of passionate, local business people was a priceless opportunity for us. 

The turnout was phenomenal, the food was delicious  and the sun thankfully stayed out! It was absolutely the best way to kick-start our move to get back into events! Getting back to our roots in that sense is something we’ve always had on the backburner, but now is the time and we’re thrilled to be able to now say we’re open to event booking! From weddings to corporate hospitality days, BBQs and team retreats, if you have something in mind – get in touch! 

We couldn’t let an event like this slip by without some ‘thank yous’, especially to those who made this event possible. Firstly, a huge thank you to Knapton Wright for sponsoring the event, to Spitting Pig for the fantastic hog roast, and to Ben Wright from Floral Image UK as well as local floral legend Kate Lister for the stunning flowers. Not forgetting The Business Hive who have welcomed us into the fold with open arms and did a fantastic job of hosting the event on the day. 

A big thanks to our friend Sian at The Choowee Cookie Company for the scrumptious – and Knapton Wright branded – cookies and finally thank you to our fellow Business Hive members for coming down to what turned out to be the event of the year!  

We are incredibly proud to have been involved in such an amazing event, and of the Knapton Wright team for getting stuck into the delivery of it along us both. Events are absolutely something we are getting our teeth into this year, the buzz of delivery, the team effort, and seeing everyone enjoying themselves… we could have found our new addiction…!

Tourism Excellence Awards 2022 – We won!

We swapped our wellies for sequins a few weeks ago and headed to the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Awards 2022

Shortlisted for the second year running, in the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year category, sponsored by East Lindsey District Council, it’s safe to say we were excited and nervous as we walked the red carpet! 

After a spread of local food and some talented and entertaining performances, it was awards time… with Lincs FM’s John Marshall compering soon our category came up. We heard The Old Granary announced along with our fellow incredible shortlisters and the winner… US!! 

Honestly? We couldn’t believe it. We didn’t think we had a shot, the shortlisted businesses in our category were incredible. We shakily collected our award and posed for some photos that we’re sure are awful – but we WON! 

Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Awards Winners

Surrounded by so many, well nearly 350 in fact, of our fellow business owners who live and breathe the visitor economy it’s safe to say we were in the most fantastic company to celebrate – and we made some wonderful new acquaintances on the night. 

Of course, this isn’t the end of our tourism awards journey.

The next stage is even more excitingly terrifying! Out of the 15 winners from this year’s awards, 12 category winners, including us, are automatically put through to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023! We now have the chance to represent The Old Granary and Lincolnshire on the national stage – no pressure! 

The Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year category specifically acknowledges accommodation providers who go above and beyond, providers that deliver a truly memorable experience for their guests, demonstrating excellence across the board in every aspect of their business. 

The Old Granary self-catering accommodation was created with the guest experience in mind. When you stay with us we work our socks off to not only ensure you enjoy your stay, but to make sure you want to come back. Which is why we are sure to remember your personal preferences, from which breakfast jam you prefer to how many towels you like in the bathroom.

To take home the title of Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year for our county, if we make the national shortlist or not, is an incredible honour for us.

We couldn’t do any of this by ourselves, it takes friends, family, suppliers and of course, our incredible guests. We couldn’t have pushed the business where it is today without every one of you, so thank you to you all. Wish us luck and keep us in your thoughts – we’ve got a while to wait… the VisitEngland 2023 shortlist is announced in April 2023. You can be sure that we’ll keep you posted!

Tourism Excellence Awards 2022, we made the shortlist!

Oh boy, do we have some exciting news to announce! For the second year running – excusing a short hiatus, thanks to Covid – The Old Granary has once again been shortlisted in the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards 2022

This year there were 15 categories to apply to, and we are so proud to have been named as a finalist in the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year category, sponsored by East Lindsey District Council. 

Self Catering Accommodation of the Year finalist

Our first experience of these awards was in 2020, the last time they ran, and we were thrilled to be nominated in two categories – the New Tourism Business Award and Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year. We went on to win the New Tourism Business Award, and so to be once again shortlisted in the Self-Catering category feels a little bit like fate.  

We have some incredible fellow finalists to rub shoulders with at October’s evening awards celebration, with the likes of Grange Farm Park, Home Farm Park, Lincoln Holiday Retreat and The Grange – East Barkwith, also shortlisted in the self-catering category. 

For now, we wait with bated breath, on the edge of our seats in fact, for news of when our Mystery Shopper will be appearing. The second of three stages of judging, (yes, this is a very thorough process undertaken by an independent board of judges and mystery shoppers, all trained to work to the high standards set out by VisitEngland, but more on that in a minute) our mystery shopper will be pre-booked for a day-visit. Once they have been to do their thing, it’s a long wait to find out who the judges have confirmed to be the winners come October 21st

So, back to VisitEngland.

The super exciting thing about the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards is that 12 out of the 15 winners for this year’s ceremony will automatically be put through to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2023, giving us – and all of the businesses who have been shortlisted this year – the chance to represent our glorious county, and our own hard-work, on the national stage!  

The Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year category specifically acknowledges accommodation providers who go above beyond, providers that deliver a truly memorable experience for their guests, demonstrating excellence across the board in every aspect of their business. 

For us, The Old Granary self-catering accommodation was created with that guest experience in mind and continues to hold our guest’s feedback and personal preference in the highest regard. If you like things a particular way when you stay with us, you can be certain that we’ll remember – even if that means the kettle being in exactly the right spot. Being shortlisted in a category that champions values we already hold in such high regard, really does show that all the effort, hard-work and attention to detail we put in day-in day-out is paying off. 

To be able to revel in the success of being a finalist, side-by-side four other wonderful local businesses, alongside an enterprise which values not only our treasured county but the tourism and visitor economy businesses working within it so highly, is already a win in our eyes. Of course, it’s something we couldn’t achieve single-handedly, it takes more than twin-power, it takes a village. It takes suppliers, friends and family, and our incredible guests. We couldn’t have pushed the business to where it is today without each and every one of you so thank you to you all. 

Outside The Old Granary

So, what are the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards?

Championing the very best of the county’s tourism industry, the Destination Lincolnshire Tourism Excellence Awards celebrate quality, innovation and the very best practice across all sectors of the visitor economy.

From accommodation in its many guises to pubs and restaurants renowned for their incredible support of Lincolnshire produce, the attractions both large and small that showcase Lincolnshire’s heritage, history, creativity, and the adventure that can be found here – these awards are an opportunity for everything we love about exploring the land of yellowbellies to be honoured. 

In the words of Stonebow Media – who run the awards in conjunction with Destination Lincolnshire – “The last two and a half years have been difficult for the whole tourism sector so to see the number of entries this year from such a large number of businesses and read their stories, seeing how they overcame and adapted, has been inspiring. Stonebow Media are proud to be hosting these awards to celebrate all our finalists successes. The awards showcase the fantastic landscape Lincolnshire has to offer locals and visitors alike.”

For us, Destination Lincolnshire Chief Executive, Charlotte Goy, hit the nail on the head, saying: “Finally seeing who has been selected by the independent board of judges really hits home just how phenomenal our visitor offering is and how connected it is to the national picture. This year’s judges really had their work cut out for them too, with double the number of entries compared to 2020. How much passion, dedication and resilience lies in our visitor economy businesses – working on the frontline of post-pandemic recovery and absolutely smashing it, despite the tough times that continue to present themselves – is second to none.” 

We couldn’t agree more. Huge congratulations to every single business shortlisted for this year’s final – we’ll see you at the ceremony, suited and booted of course… and no, we don’t mean welly boots!