The Shortlist – Lancashire Tourism Awards 2013
Today (Thursday 3 October) Marketing Lancashire revealed an impressive shortlist for the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2013; having received more applications than ever before, this year’s list of finalists is also the longest in the event’s 10 year history.
The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2013 will take place on Thursday 7 November at Blackburn Cathedral and will be one of the cathedral’s first major corporate events, hosted by tourism expert, broadcaster and Travel Editor of The Independent, Simon Calder.
Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire said “We have been so impressed by the quantity and quality of applications, especially in this the Lancashire Tourism Awards 10th anniversary year. The awards celebrate the significance of tourism’s current £3.4billion contribution to the Lancashire economy and a great deal of that success is due to the dedication and enterprise of the businesses and individuals named today.
“We congratulate them and ask that colleagues across the county show their appreciation and pride in Lancashire, by supporting these exceptional businesses and by joining us on the 7 November at Blackburn Cathedral when the winners will be announced.”
The event is a black tie event with drinks reception, three course dinner and live entertainment – plus a few additional surprises. Tickets are priced from £50, with tables of 10 from £450, which can be purchased via www.lancashiretourismawards.co.uk
Commenting on the upcoming awards, guest presenter, Simon Calder said “Lancashire offers the visitor a rich diversity of experience and the Lancashire Tourism Awards celebrate the very best practice in the county, and will inspire other enterprises to even greater efforts.
In such a competitive travel environment, nationally and internationally, the will to win is crucial and I look forward to meeting Lancashire’s finest at Blackburn Cathedral in November.” Continued >>
2013 is a landmark year for Blackburn as well as for this beautiful Grade II* listed building, as work begins on Blackburn’s new cultural quarter. The partnership of the Cathedral, Blackburn with Darwen Council, the Homes and Communities Agency and Developer Partner, Maple Grove Limited have worked closely over the last 5 years to bring forward the highest quality development possible around one of Lancashire's most important cultural assets at this key gateway into the town centre.
Speaking on behalf of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Leader Cllr Kate Hollern said
“We are delighted to host the Lancashire Tourism Awards at Blackburn Cathedral for the first time. This year marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the history of the cathedral and Blackburn town centre as work is due to start this month on the new cathedral quarter development which once complete, will be a fantastic visitor attraction. We would like to wish all the finalists the very best of luck – Lancashire has many jewels in its crown which is why millions and millions of people come to visit the area every year.”
Businesses supporting this year’s awards include: Dewlay Cheese Makers, Group Travel Organiser Magazine, Lancashire Walks and Wildlife, Naphens Solicitors, Total Food Service, Workhouse Marketing.
The Shortlist of Finalists 2013:
B&B/Guest Accommodation Award*
Broadgate Farm B&B, Preston
The Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston
The Castle Inn, Hornby
Mode, Lytham St Annes
Park House B&B, Gisburn
Small Hotel Award*
Briar Dene Hotel, Blackpool
Farington Lodge Hotel, Leyland
The Spread Eagle, Sawley
The Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn
Large Hotel Award*
Elgin Hotel, Blackpool
Holiday Inn Express, Burnley
Holiday Inn, Preston
Preston Marriott
Holiday Park Award*
Bay View Holiday Park, Bolton le Sands
Claylands Park, Garstang
Hackings Caravan Park, Clitheroe
Marton Mere Holiday Village, Blackpool
Windy Harbour Holiday Park, Nr Blackpool
Self Catering Award*
Canal Boat Cruises, Hoghton
Marton Mere Holiday Village, Blackpool
Parrock Lumb Cottages, Bacup
Pattys Farm Barn, Lancaster
Queens Mansions, Blackpool
Green Tourism Award*
Best Western Mytton Fold Hotel & Golf Complex, Blackburn
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Bleasdale Cottages
Cuffe & Taylor Event Management Ltd, Lytham St Annes
Hackings Caravan Park, Clitheroe
Sea Life Blackpool
The Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough
Conference/Meeting Venue Award*
Blackpool Zoo
Brockholes, Preston
Cotton Court Business Centre, Preston
Wedding Venue Award
Bashall Barn, Clitheroe
Best Western Mytton Fold Hotel & Golf Complex, Blackburn
Browsholme Tithe Barn, Clitheroe
Canal Boat Cruises, Hoghton
Eaves Hall, Clitheroe
Farington Lodge Hotel, Leyland
Mitton Hall, Nr Clitheroe
Ribby Hall Village Business and Banqueting, Wrea Green
Samlesbury Hall, Samlesbury
Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Blackburn
West Tower, Ormskirk
Wyrebank Banqueting Suite, Preston
Luxury Experience Award
Breck Apartments, Poulton le Fylde
Queens Mansions, Blackpool
The SPA Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green
The Woodland Spa, Burnley
Taste Lancashire Award*
The Castle Inn, Hornby
Heathcotes Brasserie, Preston
La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn
The Oyster and Otter, Blackburn
The Parkers Arms, Clitheroe
Quite Simply French, Lancaster
The Red Cat, Chorley
Samlesbury Hall, Samlesbury
The Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn
Toast Cafe Bar & Grill, Blackpool
Tourism Pub Award *
The Assheton Arms, Clitheroe
The Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston
The Parkers Arms, Clitheroe
The Sparrowhawk, Burnley
Cultural Venue/Organisation Award
The Boo, Horse & Bamboo Theatre, Waterfoot
Chorley Little Theatre
The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster
Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool
Pendle Sculpture Trail
The Whitaker Museum and Art Gallery, Rossendale
Best for Groups Award
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Brockholes, Preston
Canal Boat Cruises, Hoghton
Lancaster Canal Boats
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough
Small Visitor Attraction Award *
Canal Boat Cruises, Hoghton
Carnforth Station Heritage Centre
Go Ape, Rivington
The Grand, Clitheroe
Lancaster Canal Boats
Pendle Sculpture Trail
Queen Street Mill Textile Museum, Burnley
Samlesbury Hall, Samlesbury
Large Visitor Attraction Award*
Barton Grange Garden Centre, Preston
Blackpool Zoo
Brockholes, Preston
Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Williamson Park, Lancaster
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough
Retail Experience Award
Barton Grange Garden Centre, Preston
Cedar Farm, Mawdesley
The Cheese Shop at Dewlay, Garstang
J Atkinson & Co, Lancaster
Nick Shop at Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Visitor Event Award*
Armed Forces Week, Blackpool
A Vintage Guild, Preston
Clitheroe Food Festival
Fleetwood Festival of Transport
Lancashire Witches 400 project
Lancaster Music Festival
Lytham Wartime Weekend
Pendle Witches Festival
Preston Guild 2012
Ride with Brad
Customer Service Award*
Blackburn Visitor Centre
Duk pond & dukbodega, Preston
Lancaster & Morecambe Visitor Information Team
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Toast Cafe Bar & Grill, Blackpool
Tourism Customer Services Team for Preston City Council
Visit Garstang Tourist Information Centre
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award
Amanda Dowson, Ribble Valley
Emma Bartlet, Burnley
Guilders of Preston Guild 2012
Lynn Harter, Wyre
Peter Taylor & Daniel Cuffe, Lytham St Annes
Marketing Initiative Award
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Resort Pass
Crafty Vintage Weekenders at Brockholes
#Lancashire Hour
Pennine Lancashire Museums Partnership
Ride with Brad
St Annes Beach Huts
*Winners in these award categories will go forward to represent Lancashire at the VisitEngland Excellence Awards 2014.
Businesses across the county can still play their part in this major tourism event.
For more information on sponsorship or corporate hospitality
contact: Catherine Redshaw on 01772 426 465
<<ENDS>>
Media enquiries: Anna Izza, Communications Manager, Marketing Lancashire
01772 426 459 or [email protected]