Information about St. Albans Residents First Weekend - 30/31 January 2010

Residents’ First Weekend, which is an annual event organised by St Albans City and District Council, will take place this weekend - 30th and 31st January 2010.

Residents' First Weekend gives people the opportunity to try out many of their local attractions free of the usual entry charge, or with a special offer, or to gain entry to places which are not normally open to the public. According to figures released by the Council, on average five / six thousand people participate in this two-day event, with leisure centres, the cathedral and the museums amongst the favourite venues.

To take advantage of some of the more popular special offers available you'll need to obtain a voucher, available at the Tourist Information Centre, located at the back of the old Town Hall.

Cllr Melvyn Teare, the portfolio holder for culture and heritage said: “It is fabulous that so many hotels, restaurants, tourist attractions and leisure centres are involved with Residents First Weekend. There is certainly no shortage of activities and offers to choose from! I encourage all those who live in the district to take advantage of this weekend’s event and discover somewhere new.”

Tourism plays an important economic role for St. Albans, with the Council reporting that it brings in £148 million per year and is responsible for over 4,000 full-time jobs.

St Albans City and District Council provides the following overview of this year's event, with five different types of activity you can take part in:

• Attractions

 

There’s a whole host of offers from many of the district's attractions, from free entry to some top attractions, to the opportunity to take free guided walks with the City of St Albans Tour Guides or go on a joint walk with the Abbey Guides. There is an opportunity to have a free preview of what is happening at Butterfly World, visit the award winning Signal Box next to St Albans Station, take a walk with the Countryside Management Service or visit Tyttenhanger House to name just a few. 

• Residents’ Feasts 

Several of the most popular restaurants in St Albans, Harpenden and Wheathampstead are offering some fabulous meal deals over the weekend. For example, you can have a free starter at The Verulam Arms with every main course, a free bottle of wine at Chez Mumtaj, or a 2 for 1 at Savanna restaurant in Fishpool Street.

• Free Hotel Room Competition

 

Here’s a chance to stay in one of six top hotels in the district on the night of Sunday 31st January 2010. There are numerous ways to enter - pick up a leaflet for details.

• Leisure Connection Events 

 

Leisure Connection, the largest arts, entertainment and sports facility provider in the district are taking part in this year’s Residents First Weekend, by offering some great deals on many of their activities. Look out for the great ticket offer from The Alban Arena, backstage tours of Harpenden Public Halls, Guerrilla Gigs from the SAASH Arts Team and a host of ‘2 for 1’ offers on swimming, badminton, tennis and golf in the leisure centres around the district.

• Residents’ Raffle

 

Ensure your chance to win a luxury treat such as a FREE afternoon tea,  a day pass at the luxurious Spa at Sopwell House, Sunday lunch at the Ramada Jarvis hotel, or dinner for two in the Quality Hotel.

A list of special offers, times and list of events requiring pre-booking vouchers can be found here. The St. Albans City and District Council also has some further information.