The crème de la crème of the UK’s most talented water leisure companies

The aspiration for pool and hot tub ownership saw a surge in demand last year, with home, lifestyle and health at the forefront of people’s minds. Other factors, such as travel restrictions and the great British weather which blessed the UK in 2020, ensured that many holiday budgets were re-purposed to create an everydaycation experience at home.

Leading the way for the water leisure industry the UK trade associations, BISHTA (British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association) and SPATA (Swimming Pool and Allied Trades Association) annually invite their members to enter the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards. The combined swimming pool, spa, hot tub and wellness industry awards attract entries from companies across Britain (and some from overseas), celebrating the best of construction, design, installation, retail, hire, service and innovation.

With 29 categories to be contested, this year’s winning and highly commended entries demonstrate the breadth of talent and commitment to quality and service in the industry, even when in the restrictions of a pandemic.

BISHTA and SPATA were delighted to welcome online their special guest of honour Danielle Brown MBE to present their top industry awards this year. Danielle, a Paralympic, Commonwealth and World Champion, started archery on her fifteenth birthday after her disability stopped her from taking part in the sports she loved. Danielle won Gold at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and retained her title in London four years later. She became the first disabled athlete to represent England (and win Gold) at the Commonwealth Games in the able-bodied team, and she has won five World Championship titles.

Companies presented by Danielle were: Whitewaters named as the pool company who installed the Outstanding Pool of the Year. The SPATA judges cited this pool installation for “technicality, aesthetics and standards”, as the reasons behind their decision. Whitewaters. were also the winner of the Dick Millward Trophy for Pool Contractor of the Year.

Centurion Leisure was named as the winner of the much-celebrated Peter Geekie Award for Retail Excellence.

Outdoor Living (Leeds) won Gold as the hot tub company with the best showroom, providing consumers with everything they need to choose their new hot tub, accessories and products in a relaxed and inspiring environment. The BISHTA judges also awarded Gold to Hot Tub Suppliers for the Hot Tubs Change Lives category, and they also won Gold and Bronze awards in the Hot Tub Happiness category.

Judged by a group of industry experts, these awards not only reward companies for their superior work, celebrating both the technical and aesthetic aspects, but they also create an inspirational gallery of award-winning projects for consumers to view, in the knowledge that as trade association members, every company is expected to work to British and European standards.

All of the trade association members are also expected to abide with the BISHTA and / or SPATA Code of Ethics, with quality and service being their key attributes, providing consumers with a safe route to purchase.

Chris Hayes (Managing Director of BISHTA and SPATA) commented: “The British Pool & Hot Tubs Awards provides an exceptional stage to celebrate the calibre of talent we have in our industry.  I want to congratulate every award winner for their achievements and their continued commitment to providing end-users with high standards of quality and service”.

The 2021 winner’s galleries for BISHTA and SPATA are online to view now!

If you would like to find out more about BISHTA and SPATA and to find your nearest trade association member company, please visit: www.bishta.co.uk / www.spata.co.uk