Lancashire Tourism Awards 2014 Finalists Announced
Marketing Lancashire today (Monday 29 September) revealed the finalists of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2014. The awards now in its 11th year has received a record number of applications with an increase of 25% on 2013.
The only tourism-focused awards in Lancashire will take place on Thursday 6 November at The Blackpool Tower Ballroom. This truly unique landmark celebrates its 120th anniversary and will host an audience of 500 industry-related professionals’, celebrating the resounding success of tourism businesses across the county.
Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire said “We are extremely impressed with the quality and quantity of applications this year. We have seen significant investment in this sector over the past twelve months with over 1000 new jobs being created. The industry continues to grow with visitor numbers increasing by 1 million to 63 million and visitor spend contributing £3.5 billion to the Lancashire economy.
The Lancashire Tourism Awards is an evening to celebrate the hard work and dedication of businesses and individuals who play a pivotal role in the success and sustainability of this priority sector for Lancashire. We look forward to colleagues across the county joining us on the 6 November at The Blackpool Tower when the winners will be revealed.”
Businesses supporting this year’s awards include: UCLan, Virgin Trains, The Blackpool Tower, Blackpool and the Fylde College, Heart Radio, Lancashire Business View, Lancashire Evening Post, Lancashire Life, Lancashire Walks and Wildlife, Napthens Solicitors, Northern Print Distribution, Pannone, Preston’s College, Roots Hand Cooked Vegetable Crisps, Total Foodservice, The Via Partnership, Whitney Woods, Workhouse Marketing.
The ceremony is a black tie event with drinks reception, three course dinner and live entertainment – with elements of surprise. Tickets are priced from £55, with tables of 10 from £495, which can be purchased from Friday 3 October via www.lancashiretourismawards.co.uk
2014 Lancashire Tourism Awards Finalists
B&B/Guest Accommodation Award*
Broadgate Farm B&B, Bleasdale
The Borough, Lancaster
The Bromley, Blackpool
The Castle Inn, Hornby
The Spread Eagle, Clitheroe
Wagon & Horses, Lancaster
Holiday Park/Holiday Village Award*
Bay View Holiday Park, Carnforth
Claylands Park, Garstang
Ribblesdale Park, Gisburn
Small Hotel Award*
Briardene Hotel, Thornton Cleveleys
Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale
The Millstone Hotel, Mellor
Northcote, Langho
Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn
The Villa Country House Hotel, Wrea Green
Large Hotel Award*
Barton Grange Hotel, Preston
Big Blue Hotel, Blackpool
Elgin Hotel, Blackpool
Holiday Inn Express Burnley
Holiday Inn Lancaster
Lancaster House Hotel
Mercure Dunkenhalgh Hotel and Spa, Clayton-le-Moors
The Midland, Morecambe
Self-Catering Holiday Provider Award*
The Berkeley Apartments, Blackpool
Canal Boat Cruises, Hoghton
Crook Hall Farm, Nr Ormskirk
Queens Mansions Holiday Apartments, Blackpool
Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, Chipping
Conference / Meeting Venue Award*
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Preston Marriott Hotel
West Lancashire Investment Centre, Skelmersdale
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Wedding Venue Award
Ashton Hall, Lancaster
Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn, Clitheroe
The Wedding Chapel, Blackpool
Gibbon Bridge Hotel, Chipping
The Great Hall at Mains, Poulton-le-Fylde
The Midland, Morecambe
Mitton Hall, Nr Whalley
The Villa Country House Hotel, Wrea Green
Taste Lancashire Award*
The Assheton Arms, Clitheroe
The Castle Inn, Hornby
The Highwayman, Kirkby Lonsdale
La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn
Parkers Arms, Newton in Bowland
Roaming Roosters, Nr Burnley
Twelve Restaurant and Lounge Bar, Thornton Cleveleys
Tourism Pub Award*
The Assheton Arms, Clitheroe
The Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston
Freemasons at Wiswell
The Sparrowhawk, Fence
The Three Fishes, Mitton
Retail Experience Award
Brooks Collectables Museum & Retro Arcade, Blackpool
Cedar Farm, Mawdesley
Roaming Roosters, Nr Burnley
St George’s Shopping Centre, Preston
Lancaster & Morecambe Visitor Information Centres
Maureen Cookson, Whalley
Tourism Event Award*
120th Anniversary at Blackpool Tower
Blackpool Switch-on Festival Weekend
Clitheroe Food Festival
The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Colne
Harris Flights, Preston
Lancaster Music Festival
Light up Lancaster
Lytham Proms
Lytham 1940s Wartime Festival
Ride the Lights, Blackpool
Tram Sunday, Fleetwood
Vintage by the Sea, Morecambe
Small Visitor Attraction Award*
Astley Hall Coach House and Park, Chorley
Brooks Collectables Museum & Retro Arcade, Blackpool
Canal Boat Cruises, Hoghton
Carnforth Station Heritage Centre
Go Ape Rivington
Leighton Hall, Carnforth
The Visitor Centre at Mrs Dowsons, Clayton-le-Dale
Large Visitor Attraction Award*
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Blackpool Zoo
Brockholes, Preston
East Lancashire Railway
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough
Cultural Venue / Organisation Award
Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe
The Dukes, Lancaster
Grundy Art Gallery, Blackpool
Horse + Bamboo Theatre, Rossendale
Lancashire Classical Music Collaboration
Lancashire County Council Museums Service
Towneley Hall, Burnley
Winter Gardens, Blackpool
Sustainable Tourism Award*
Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe
Holiday Inn Lancaster
Lancaster House Hotel
Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Stirk House Hotel, Gisburn
WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough
Luxury Experience Award
Breck Apartments, Poulton-le-Fylde
Crow Wood Leisure, Burnley
Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale
Northcote, Langho
Best Visitor Experience Award*
Atlas Sailing, Fleetwood
Bay Sea School, Morecambe
Blackpool Ghost Walks
Canoe and Boat Safari at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough
St Annes Beach Huts
World War One Events at Lancashire County Council Cultural Services
Customer Service Award
Ashton Hall, Lancaster
Blackburn Visitor Centre
Lancaster & Morecambe Visitor Information Centre Team
Mode Hotel, Lytham St Annes
Premier Inn Preston South Hotel
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Toast Cafe Bar and Grill, Blackpool
Visit Garstang Tourist Information Centre
New Business Award
Breck Apartments, Poulton-le-Fylde
Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton
Farmers Arms, Great Eccleston
The Fenwick, Lancaster
Ireby Green Farm, Preston
Samlesbury Hotel, Preston
Stanley Villa Farm Camping, Preston
Best for Groups Award
Boundary Mill Stores, Colne
Ena Mill, Various locations
Leighton Hall, Carnforth
Rock and River Outdoor Pursuits, Various locations
*Winners in these award categories will go forward to represent Lancashire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2015.
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Anna Izza, Head of PR and Communications Tel: 01772 426 459
Laura Crabb, PR and Communications Executive Tel: 01772 426 456