Common questions that you may have about our quality schemes and being a participant
Questions for businesses who would like to join a VisitEngland Quality Scheme
Firstly, take a look around our site for the information on the specific scheme you are interested in. The joining process is explained on each page. Alternatively, contact us and we’ll be happy to explain the next steps and talk you through the application process.
Participation fees depend on which quality scheme you’d like to join. Contact us for your scheme specific fees.
If you have joined one of our accommodation schemes, assessments are annual, usually within a month or so of your last visit. A visit can be delayed to give time for refurbishment and repairs to be completed, in these instances the rating will remain firm until we can visit again.Visitor attractions are assessed either every year or every other year, suitable dates for the visit can be discussed with your assessor.Pubs are also assessed either every year or every other year, and visits are unannounced.
Please refer to our benefits page for further information.
Your assessor can give advice at the time of the assessment, or alternatively you can call us and speak with an Advisory Assessor, who are always on hand to offer advice.
If you have a question following your visit, please get in touch with us and we will be happy to help.
If you decide to sell your business, the accreditation will not transfer to the new owner, or travel to another business. Notice of the sale needs to communicated in writing to the VisitEngland Assessment Services office via email and the team can advise accordingly.
To retain the accreditation, you will need to make a new application to be assessed to the Visit England Assessment Services office. Where a property has previously been in the scheme, the joining fee will not apply. As the new owner, you will be treated as a brand new application and will be awarded your star rating solely on the basis of what the assessor observes under the new ownership and not what the previous rating was.
Questions for consumers
In the first instance we would recommend you make your complaint known to the proprietor or owner of the business. If your complaint is not resolved by them, please get in touch with us and we will investigate. Please be aware we cannot enter into any discussions regarding financial compensation .
Our members are very proud of their awards, and often display them on their websites. The star rating and location of a property can be found by searching on this site. The assessment office will also be more than happy to confirm a property rating. Please do feel free to call 01256 338350 for more information.
