Lancashire Award Winners

29 September 2009

Congratulations to all Lancashire and Blackpool finalists and winners at England’s Northwest Tourism Awards held at Blackpool Tower Ballroom on Monday 28th September 2009.

Commenting after the ceremeony Mike Wilkinson, LBTB Chief Executive said:

"Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board is delighted that three of our members have won their category in this year’s England’s Northwest Tourism Awards.  Much- deserved winners The Ashton B&B, Blackpool Illuminations and Farmaggedon confirm that for quality accommodation to large scale events and unique tourism experiences Lancashire has it all, offering visitors award-winning style, innovation and distinctiveness to compete with anywhere in the UK.

"Lancashire and Blackpool was well represented in each hard-fought category by some of the finest tourism businesses in the county, they all deserve our congratulations for reaching this level and we look forward to seeing them as winners in the future. Special mention also goes to La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, which was highly commended in the Taste award category and to acclaimed chef Nigel Haworth, who was honoured with the award for Outstanding Contribution to Tourism."

Official press release and list of all finalists and winners follows :

 Lancashire chef honoured at regional tourism ‘Oscars’

Accrington-born chef Nigel Haworth was honoured last night (Monday 28th September) at the sixth annual England’s Northwest Tourism Awards. Co-Director of Northcote and one of the region’s greatest food ambassadors, Nigel was presented with the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award at Blackpool’s famous Tower Ballroom.

Nigel was one of four award winners from Lancashire and Blackpool to be named the best in the Northwest at the ceremony.

The Ashton in Lancaster took home the Bed and Breakfast of the Year award, for its impeccable standards and fantastic elegance. Blackpool Illuminations was named the Tourism Event of the Year for its ultra-modern approach to what is a Northwest institution. Tourism Experience of the Year was awarded to Farmaggedon near Ormskirk, a frightening but unique example of farm diversification at its best, and one of the world’s top 25 must-visit hauntings.

La Locanda Ristorante in Gisburn received a judges’ commendation in the Taste of England’s Northwest category.

Organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), the prestigious event aims to drive up the quality of the visitor experience across the region by rewarding excellence in the tourism industry. This year’s event was hosted by BBC North West Tonight presenter Ranvir Singh.

In addition to receiving a prestigious title and trophy, regional winners now have the opportunity to represent the Northwest in the national awards, organised by VisitEngland in April 2010.

Felicity Goodey, Chair of Tourism England’s Northwest said:

“The Northwest Tourism Awards have set a very high benchmark for the industry over the past few years. These winners are some of the best of the best. They are delivering a distinctive product, outstanding quality and value for money, that’s why even in the present economic climate they continue to do so well.

“These awards recognise and reward the leaders in what is a very competitive industry. I am confident we will do very well when some of them represent us in the national Enjoy England Awards for Excellence next year.”

 Nick Brooks-Sykes, Director of Tourism at the NWDA, added:

“Tourism is an important industry in the Northwest, contributing over £13 billion to our economy every year. The NWDA is committed to helping the industry to improve its competitiveness, and these awards play an important role in encouraging the quality and standards that we need to be an international player. These businesses are setting the standards for others to follow.”

-ends-

Notes to editors

Finalists in the England’s Northwest Tourism Awards are winners from each of the sub-regional tourism awards.

Images from the Awards ceremony will be available on Tuesday 29th September.

Full list of entrants and winners for the England’s Northwest Tourism Awards follows:

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism

Nigel Haworth, Northcote, near Blackburn, Lancashire

Large Hotel of the Year

Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa, near Chester

Castle Green Hotel, Kendal, Cumbria- Highly Commended

Preston Marriott Hotel, Preston, Lancashire

The Lowry Hotel, Manchester – Winner

Malmaison Liverpool, Liverpool

Small Hotel of the Year

Peckforton Castle, Tarporley, Cheshire

Gilpin Lodge Country House Hotel, Windermere, Cumbria – Winner

Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Langho, Nr Blackburn, Lancashire

Bed and Breakfast of the Year

Harrop Fold Farm, Macclesfield, Cheshire

Storrs Gate House, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria

The Ashton, Lancaster, Lancashire – Winner

Brooklands Lodge, Sale, Greater Manchester

The Ambassador Townhouse, Southport, Merseyside

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire

Walby Farm Park, near Carlisle, Cumbria

Blackpool Tower and Circus, Blackpool

Imperial War Museum North, Manchester – Winner

Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool-  Highly Commended

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire – Winner

Wordsworth House and Garden, Cockermouth, Cumbria

Helmshore Mills Textile Museum, Helmshore, Lancashire 

Museum of the Manchester Regiment, Manchester

Acorn Farm, Liverpool

Self Catering Holiday of the Year

Kerridge End Holiday Cottages, Macclesfield, Cheshire

Hall Hills, Dalston, near Carlisle, Cumbria – Winner

Clough Bottom Farm Cottages, near Clitheroe, Lancashire

Blue Rainbow Apartments, Manchester

Premier Apartments Liverpool, Liverpool

Holiday Park of the Year

Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park, Keswick, Cumbria – Winner

Sunset Park, Hambleton, near Blackpool

Business Tourism Award

Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa, near Chester

Warwick Mill Business Village, near Carlisle, Cumbria

Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green, near Blackpool

The Lowry Hotel, Manchester – Highly Commended

Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, Liverpool – Winner

Taste of England’s Northwest

Walk Mill, Chester

Low Sizergh Barn Farm Shop, Kendal, Cumbria – Winner

La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn, Lancashire- Highly Commended

The Modern, Manchester

Delifonseca, Liverpool

Tourism Experience of the Year

Roman Tours, Chester – Highly Commended

Silverband Falconry, Penrith, Cumbria

Farmaggedon, near Ormskirk, Lancashire – Winner

Costumed Performers, Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester

Art in the Age of Steam, National Museums Liverpool, Liverpool

Customer Service Award

Janet Bradshaw, Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire

Jennifer Taylor, The Archway Guest House, Windermere, Cumbria

Hannah Lee, The New Holly, near Preston

Mahendran Mayan, Renaissance Hotel, Manchester

Christina Dixon, Jurys Inn Hotel, Liverpool – Winner

Sustainable Tourism Award

Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa, near Chester

Langdale Leisure Ltd, Ambleside, Cumbria – Highly Commended

Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages, Blacko, Lancashire

Radisson SAS Hotel Manchester Airport, Greater Manchester

Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, Liverpool – Winner

Tourism for All Award

Kerridge End Holiday Cottages, Macclesfield, Cheshire – Winner

Ullswater Steamers, Glenridding, Cumbria

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

The Trafford Centre, Greater Manchester

Tourism Event

Nantwich Food and Drink Festival, Cheshire

Westmorland County Agricultural Show, Milnthorpe, Cumbria

Blackpool Illuminations, Blackpool – Winner

Manchester Pride, Manchester

Creamfields, Merseyside

Public Space Award

Cockermouth Market Place Regeneration Scheme, Cumbria –  Highly Commended

County Square Environmental Enhancement Scheme, Ulverston, Cumbria

Pier Head Public Realm and Canal Link, Liverpool – Winner

Tourist Information Centre of the Year

Congleton TIC, Cheshire

Coniston TIC, Cumbria – Highly Commended

Cleveleys TIC, Lancashire

Wigan TIC, Greater Manchester – Winner

St Helens TIC, Merseyside

Travel Journalist of the Year

Chris Moss, Time Out

Craig Fleming, Blackpool Gazette

David Atkinson, Freelance

Paul Croughton, The Sunday Times

Stephen McClarence, The Observer – Winner

For further information please contact Helen Batte, Tourism Press Officer on 01925 400235 or 07764 239856 or [email protected]

For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925 400259.

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk  

 The Northwest Regional Development Agency works to deliver economic success in England’s Northwest by building the competitiveness of businesses, people and places. The Agency is the strategic lead for tourism in the Northwest and works with the region’s five tourist boards to support and grow our £13 billion visitor economy.

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