EDF Energy’s Hunterston B power station is celebrating after the visitor centre was given a five star rating from VisitScotland.

VisitScotland uses a five-level star-grading system to show the standard of customer care and range of facilities on offer. The awards focus on the standard of the welcome, hospitality and service they provide. The number of stars awarded to a property indicates the levels visitors can expect from the establishment.

Mystery shoppers VisitScotland sent a series of mystery shoppers to the visitor centre at Hunterston B power station over the last few months to look at standards there. The final assessment found the visitor centre was: “an excellent facility, providing some excellent additional information to support the tour.” Colin Weir, Hunterston B station director said: “This is a fantastic achievement and I am very proud of the team.

“The visitor centre is an excellent way of connecting local residents and visitors to the working life of the power station, and also increasing understanding of the importance of nuclear power to our energy infrastructure.

“A five star rating ensures visitors will be getting the best we have to offer.” VisitScotland highlighted there were, “many examples of outstanding practice” and visitor centre manager Val Poyser said: “The team of guides and I are delighted to receive five stars from VisitScotland as a lot of hard work has gone into making the centre just right for all ages and levels of interest that come to see us.

“I am incredibly proud of the team who work here and would like to encourage as many people as possible to come and see Hunterston B for themselves. We have already had thousands of people through the doors and it is absolutely free.” Annique Armstrong, VisitScotland regional director said: “The five star award is a fantastic accolade and truly denotes world class status. I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to the team at Hunterson B power station on this great achievement; this is testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment of the team.

“Five-star status shows visitors that they can expect a fantastic and enjoyable experience, whilst learning all about this fascinating facility.

“Tourism really is everyone’s business and this is a fine example of diversification and creating another thread to the tourism offering - something that is particularly pertinent as we prepare to welcome the world in 2014.” You can visit the station’s visitor centre Mon-Fri between 9am and 4pm or at weekends, 10am to 4pm. Plant tours can be booked in advance on 01294 826008 or you can e-mail hunterstonbtours@edf-energy.com