Keep Britain Tidy has revealed the winners of the coveted Blue Flag and Seaside Awards 2023, with Mablethorpe, Central Beach in Skegness and Central Beach in Sutton on Sea all retaining their Blue Flag awards from last year.
The Blue Flag Award is managed in England by Keep Britain Tidy and internationally, by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and is widely considered the gold standard for beaches.
The Awards, which are now in their 36th year, recognise and celebrate country’s best beaches for their quality, the way they are managed and the facilities they offer to visitors. The three ELDC-managed beaches are among 78 sites across the country that have met the most stringent criteria required as regards to water quality, well-kept beaches and environmental education initiatives.
An East Lindsey District Council spokesperson said: “We’re thrilled that the beaches in Mablethorpe, Skegness and Sutton on Sea have retained the Blue Flag award, showcasing the hard work that our officers put into the management to ensure that visitors can enjoy beaches which meet the highest standards for quality, safety and facilities.
“We’d also like to thank all the local residents who volunteer, giving up their free time to litter pick and care for the sites, they do a fantastic job and help keep our beaches looking great all year round.”
Keep Britain Tidy’s Chief Executive, Allison Ogden-Newton OBE said: “Visitors to a beach flying a Blue Flag or Seaside Award can be assured the beach will be clean, safe and meet the highest environmental standards, as well as international bathing water quality standards.
“The Blue Flag is the world’s most recognised award for beaches and marinas and, to qualify, each applicant must meet and maintain a series of stringent environmental, educational, safety and accessibility criteria.
“We’d therefore like to recognise and applaud all those who have worked so hard to protect and improve some of our best-loved and most popular beaches. The collective efforts of beach managers, volunteers, residents and businesses all contribute to the success of these sites in achieving the incredibly high standards demanded.”
