Lancashire Tourism Awards 2015 Finalists Announced

Marketing Lancashire, the county's destination management organisation, today (Wednesday 30th September) revealed the finalists and headline sponsor The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2015.

The only tourism-focused awards in Lancashire will take place on Thursday 5 November in the spectacular Empress Ballroom at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens.

Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire said “The quality of applications for the tourism awards never fails to impress and this year the judges have a real challenge deciding on the winners in each category.

Lancashire has seen consistent growth in visitor numbers over the last 6 years and these visitors are now spending more in the county, making a £3.68billion contribution to Lancashire's economy.”

The visitor economy is vital to Lancashire success and each year the Lancashire Tourism Awards is our way of celebrating the huge effort and investment made by our industry colleagues across the board. I wish all the finalists luck in the next stage of the awards process and look forward to congratulating Lancashire's best in class at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on 5 November."

Jane Shaw, Principal Lecturer in Tourism, Hospitality and Events, School of Management, “UCLan is proud to work in partnership with Marketing Lancashire in growing the visitor economy in the region and showcasing Lancashire as a place to work, study and invest. Our graduates are well placed to take on the opportunities in this dynamic county and beyond.”

Finalists of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2015 will be invited to an interview by the judging panel during the week of 12 October, when each business will have the opportunity to discuss their application in more detail.

2015 Lancashire Tourism Awards Finalists

B&B/Guest Accommodation Award*
The Bromley, Blackpool
The Kings, Blackpool
The Millstone at Mellor
No 1 Crow Wood, Burnley

Holiday Park/ Holiday Village Award*
Bay View Holiday Park, Carnforth
Claylands Park, Garstang
Sunset Park, Hambleton

Small Hotel Award*
Bartle Hall Hotel, Preston
The Shireburn Arms, Clitheroe
The Villa Country House Hotel, Wrea Green

Large Hotel Award*
Barton Grange Hotel, Preston
Best Western Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Blackburn
The Dalmeny Resort Hotel, Lytham St Annes
Elgin Hotel, Blackpool
The Imperial Hotel, Blackpool
Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel, West Lancashire
Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel, Preston
Wrightington Hotel & Country Club, West Lancashire

Self-Catering Holiday Award*
Breck Apartments, Poulton Le Fylde
Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages, Hambleton
Queens Mansions, Burbage Holiday Lodge, Blackpool
Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, Chipping

Conference/Meeting Venue Award*
Barton Grange Hotel, Preston
Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston
Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel, West Lancashire
West Lancashire Investment Centre, Skelmersdale
Winter Gardens Blackpool

Wedding Venue Award
Bartle Hall Hotel, Preston
Barton Grange Hotel, Preston
Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn, Clitheroe
The Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Preston
The Midland, Morecambe
Mitton Hall, Whalley
The Villa Country House Hotel, Wrea Green
West Tower Exclusive Venue, Ormskirk

Taste Lancashire Award*
Aspect Bar and Bistro, Morecambe
The Bay Horse Inn, Lancaster
Bertram's Restaurant, Burnley
The Fish House Fleetwood
La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn
The Midland, Morecambe
Twelve Restaurant and Lounge Bar, Thornton

Tourism Pub Award*
Assheton Arms, Clitheroe
The Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston
Eagle and Child, Ramsbottom
The Sparrowhawk, Burnley

Retail Experience Award
Cedar Farm, Mawdesley
Freeport Fleetwood
Oswaldtwistle Mills
Heskin Farmers Market & Craft Centre, Chorley
Whalley Warm & Dry Ltd Outdoor Clothing & Footwear Specialist, Whalley

Tourism Event Award*
Blackpool Dance Festival
Chorley Flower Show
Countryside Comes to Town, Blackburn
The Dukes Park Show, Lancaster
Fleetwood Festival of Transport
Lancaster Music Festival
Lancashire Science Festival, Preston
The Lightpool Project, Blackpool
Light Up Lancaster
Lytham 1940s Wartime Festival 2015
Lytham Festival
Tour of Britain Stage Two, Clitheroe to Colne

Small Visitor Attraction Award*
Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe
Carnforth Station Heritage Centre
The Grand Theatre, Blackpool
Leighton Hall, Carnforth
St Annes Beach Huts, Lytham St Annes
The Woodland Spa, Burnley

Large Visitor Attraction Award*
Blackpool Zoo, Blackpool
Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston
Farmer Ted's Farm Park, Ormskirk
Oswaldtwistle Mills
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Cultural Venue/Organisation Award
The Dukes, Lancaster
The Grand Theatre, Blackpool
Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool
Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston
The Whitaker Museum + Art Gallery, Rossendale
Winter Gardens Blackpool

Sustainable Tourism Award*
Best Western Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Blackburn
Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe
Mrs Dowsons, Clayton-le-Dale

Access for All Award*
Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages, Hambleton
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Wheels for All, Lancashire

Luxury Experience Award   
Breck Apartments, Blackpool
Lady Teal, Burnley
The Woodland Spa, Burnley

Visitor Experience Award*
Bay Cycle Way, Morecambe
Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours
Blackpool Resort Pass
Farmaggedon, Ormskirk
Footgolf at Best Western Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Blackburn

Customer Service Award
Barton Grange Hotel, Preston
Best Western Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Blackburn
Go Ape Rivington
Lancaster and Morecambe Visitor Information Centres
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
VisitBlackpool Tourist Information Centre
Visit Garstang Centre

New Business Award
Aspinall Arms, Clitheroe
The Dearden Tea Rooms, Haslingden
Guild Promotions, Preston
The Higher Buck, Clitheroe
The Hunters, Preston

Best for Groups Award
Clifton Park Hotel, Lytham St Annes
Impact Blackpool
Leighton Hall, Carnforth
Oswaldtwistle Mills

*Winners in these award categories will have the opportunity to go forward to represent Lancashire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2016.

The Lancashire's Tourism Superstar Award 2015 shortlist will be announced next week and at that point the public will be invited to vote for their ultimate Lancashire winner.

Businesses supporting this year’s awards include: The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), Winter Gardens Blackpool, VisitBlackpool, Blackpool Transport, Heart Radio, Lancashire Business View, Lancashire Evening Post, Lancashire Life, Napthens Solicitors, Northern Print Distribution, Preston’s College and Total Foodservice.

A drinks reception, sponsored by Visit Blackpool, will launch the Lancashire Tourism Awards evening in style welcoming guests to the Lancashire-inspired dinner, awards ceremony and entertainment. Tickets are priced from £65+VAT, with tables of 10 from £585+VAT, which can be purchased online at lancashiretourismawards.com

For more information and to view the full list of finalists go to lancashiretourismawards.com or follow #LTA15 on twitter.