Visit Britain award The Courtyard, Helsby, with a five star gold rating

Dec 3 2009 Chester Chronicle

SELF-CATERING cottages in Helsby were awarded only the second five star gold rating in Cheshire from Visit Britain.

The UK’s official travel and accommodation guide gave The Courtyard, Lower Rake Lane, Helsby, the county’s second five star gold award for its Carriage Barn cottage as well as a four star gold rating for its Loft building.

Roger Maher, who owns the businesses with his wife Jill, said: “We’re incredibly proud of our three very individual holiday cottages and are especially delighted that we have achieved a Visit Britain five star gold award for The Carriage Barn as it’s only the second in Cheshire.

“We’re delighted that the quality of our historic period accommodation has been acknowledged even further with these gold accolades.”

The latest Visit Britain classifications reflect the luxurious standard of properties that are at the top of their grading.

Visit Chester and Cheshire’s welcome manager, Sue Foster, added: “To receive a five star rating from Visit Britain, let alone a gold, requires tremendous commitment and investment into the properties. Roger and Jill Maher should be extremely proud of what they’ve achieved.

“The accommodation offered in Cheshire is of an outstanding quality. I am delighted that we are able to offer even more choice of memorable places to stay to tourists visiting Cheshire.”

The success of The Courtyard increases the number of four and five star gold award winners in Cheshire to eight. They include The Chester Grosvenor, Churton Heath Farm Bed and Breakfast, Wharton Lock Apartment, Brassey’s Contract Cottage, Green Bough Hotel, Granary at Wickentree Farm and Chester Guest House and Chester Stone Villa.