Highlighting the cream of the crop, the annual British Pool & Hot Tub Awards hosted by the SPATA (Swimming Pool and Allied Trade Association) and BISHTA (British and Irish Spa and Hot Tub Association) spotlights companies striving to meet (and in some cases exceed) the trade association standards and an industry-recognised code of ethics, distinguishing themselves as high-calibre professionals within their field. Through their dedication, they are helping to raise standards for the industry. 

Bringing the UK's most skilled wet leisure companies together in celebration

These awards not only recognise 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, and trade ethically. 

SPATA and BISHTA annually invite their members to enter the awards, which combine swimming pool, spa, hot tub, and wellness industry categories and attract entries from companies across the British Isles (and some also come from overseas members), celebrating the best of construction, design, installation, retail, hire, service, and innovation. 

Before entries are submitted to the experts and specialist panel of judges from the pool and hot tub industry, all entries are reviewed for their technical merit to assess whether entries meet industry standards, as a minimum requirement. 

In 2023, SPATA introduced some additional judging criteria for award entries. Using a points system, the judges awarded Gold and Silver Standards, and Bronze awards based on the technical and aesthetic aspects of the project, also taking into account (where applicable) the plant room installation and the paperwork provided to the client. The decision to enhance the SPATA Awards element of the British Pool & Hot Tub Awards was made by the SPATA National Council and Technical Committee, to continue encouraging members to meet and exceed SPATA Standards. These awards are the highest (and most stringent) accolades in the British swimming pool industry. 

With 32 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 Wet Leisure Industry. 

The 2023 award ceremony took place on the evening of Tuesday, 31^st January 2023, and is annually part of the  Industry Gala Evening, hosted by the BSPF (British Swimming Pool Federation) at the Coventry Building Society Arena in the West Midlands during SPATEX, the UK's only dedicated international pool, spa and wellness show (31^st January to 2^nd February 2023). 

The annual Industry Gala Evening & Awards always provides a fantastic opportunity for friends, colleagues and peers to come together in celebration at an outstanding social event during the largest pool, spa and wellness show in the UK. Providing a red-carpet, 'oscar-esque' experience (with black tie optional), it is held in the Premier Lounge of the Coventry Building Society Arena. Guests are welcomed with a networking drinks reception, dinner, live entertainment, photo opportunities and dance, and the evening showcases the 2023 British Pool & Hot Tub Awards ceremony and the representation of the ISPE awards for 2022.

Phil Moseley and Gill Gingell of Darlly Europe commented, "We are highly honoured to have received the Peter Newbery Award for UK Innovation from BISHTA at the 2023 British Pool & Hot Tub Awards. This award recognises Darlly Europe as the overall winner in this category for our Sanistream System, launched in 2018."

The event also provides the chance to remember those we have lost and acknowledge achievements and contributions to the wet leisure industry. This year the BSPF recognised the outstanding service and contribution of Jim Gordon from Jim Gordon Associates. A man who made a huge difference to our industry over many decades. Jim sadly passed away in 2022, and his son Phil Gordon collected the award on behalf of his family.  To view the Industry Gala Evening photo gallery.

Phil Oldershaw hosted the night, and presenting this year's awards were; the BSPF President - Pete Grinnall, SPATA Chairman - Ben Studdy and the BISHTA Chairman - Dorian Davies. The special guest of honour was Keri-anne Payne, a South African-born British swimmer specialising in marathon open water swimming and long-distance freestyle swimming in the pool. She is a two-time 10-kilometre open water world champion and an Olympic silver medallist.

The top SPATA awards on the night were announced as the following companies: 

• The Peter Geekie Award for Retail Excellence was won by Oyster Pools & Hot Tubs
• The Paul Kite Award for Pool Star of the Year was won by Chris Davies of Cresta Leisure
• Whitewaters won the Dick Millward Trophy for Pool Contractor of the Year
• Tanby Pools won the Outstanding Pool of the Year Award

The top BISHTA awards on the night were awarded to the following companies:

• Hydropool Devon won the Gold Award for Hot Tub Happiness
• Hot Tub Suppliers won the Gold Award for Hot Tubs Change Lives 

The 2023 winner's galleries for SPATA and BISHTA are online to view now!

And a brand new BISHTA award category was launched for 2023, the Peter Newbery Award for UK Innovation, in recognition of Peter Newbery, who was a driving force in the hot tub industry, when he was the owner of Spaform. Peter was a hugely creative person and someone who believed in innovation from every one of his team members. The award showcases individuals, staff members, organisations, companies and partnerships for introducing initiatives, products or processes with inventive approaches as they navigate a developing and competitive industry. The 2023 winner is Darlly Europe, awarded for their Sanistream System.

Chris Hayes (Managing Director of SPATA and BISHTA) commented: "This year's entries superbly demonstrate the skilled projects undertaken by SPATA and BISHTA members. The quality of work from this year's winning companies is outstanding and demonstrates the talent, skill, and quality of the UK wet leisure industry. Congratulations to all the winners; we wish all of them continued success moving forward through 2023 and beyond". 

Supporting the 2023 British Pool & Hot Tub Awards, the Partners and Sponsors are: Adtrak, AstralPool UK, Calorex, Certikin, Complete Pool Controls, Fairlocks Pool Products, Complete Spas, Golden Coast part of Pollet Pool Group, Heatstar, HTH T/A Innovative Water Care, SPN, Jacuzzi, Nsure, OASE, Plastica, Sprayed Concrete Solutions and What Pool & Hot Tub Magazine.