Lancashire Tourism Awards 2016 Finalists Announced

Marketing Lancashire, the county’s destination management organisation, has revealed the finalists of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2016.

The event now in its 13th year and the only pan-Lancashire tourism-focused awards ceremony will take place on Thursday 10 November at Blackburn Cathedral, the Cathedral of Lancashire.

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire said “We’re so pleased to be returning to Blackburn Cathedral and, from the list of finalists, it looks like it will be one of the most keenly contested for some years.

Lancashire’s tourism industry continues to grow and the Lancashire Tourism Awards is a fantastic occasion to bring businesses and individuals together, to celebrate this amazing £3.7billion sector and the quality and diversity that the county has to offer its 64 million annual visitors.

I’m really looking forward to welcoming all the finalists, sponsors and guests to the Cathedral of Lancashire on 10 November, to recognise the excellence in our visitor economy. It is going to be another unforgettable night for Lancashire tourism.”

Finalists of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2016 will now be invited to an interview with the judges on Wednesday 19 or Thursday 20 October at Northcote at the Rovers, Blackburn.

During this process each finalist will have the opportunity to discuss their application in more detail with the judging panels; each judging panel brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of business, hospitality and the visitor economy to the awards.

Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar Award 2016 shortlist will be announced next week and the public will be invited to vote for their ultimate Lancashire winner. The winner of the Lancashire Tourism Superstar Award is the only award to be chosen for by the public.

The black tie event will begin with a drinks reception hosted by Northcote at the Rovers, followed by a Lancashire three-course menu inspired by Michelin-starred chef Nigel Haworth and Northcote Executive Head Chef Lisa Allen, delivered by caterers Café Northcote.

Due to the size of the venue we expect to be operating a waiting list and would encourage all finalists to take advantage of the finalist exclusive priority booking period.

With tickets available for businesses and industry partners to buy from Tuesday 11 October from lancashiretourismawards.com

2016 Lancashire Tourism Awards Finalists

Best Hotel Award *Barton Grange Hotel, Preston Elgin Hotel, Blackpool Gibbon Bridge Hotel and Restaurant, Chipping Northcote, Langho The SPA Hotel at Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green

Boutique Accommodation Award*The Kings, Blackpool Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale Lady Teal, Burnley Mode Hotel, Lytham St Annes

Self-Catering Holiday Award*Breck Apartments, Poulton le Fylde Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages, Hambleton Marton Mere Holiday Village, Blackpool Windy Harbour Holiday Park, Thornton Cleveleys

Small Visitor Attraction Award*Burnley Mechanics, Burnley Carnforth Station Heritage Centre Go Ape Rivington Mrs Dowsons, Blackburn

Large Visitor Attraction Award*Blackpool Zoo The Blackpool Tower East Lancashire Railway, Rawtenstall Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Visitor Experience AwardLady Teal, Burnley Northcote Cook School, Langho St Annes Beach Huts, Lytham St Annes Swan Spectacular at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Burscough

Tourism Pub Award*The Aspinall Arms, Whalley The Sparrowhawk, Fence The Three Fishes, Whalley

Taste Lancashire Award*Aspect Bar & Bistro, Morecambe The Bay Horse Inn, Lancaster Bertram's Restaurant, Burnley Infusions Cafe Bistro, Burscough La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn Twelve Restaurant and Lounge Bar, Thornton Cleveleys

Sustainable Tourism Award *Browsholme Hall and The Tithe Barn, Clitheroe Lancaster House Hotel, Lancaster Moss Wood Caravan Park, Cockerham RSPB Leighton Moss, Carnforth

Access For all Award*Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages, Hambleton Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Conference/Meeting Venue Award*Barton Grange Hotel, Preston Samlesbury Hotel, Samlesbury Winter Gardens Blackpool

Wedding Venue AwardBrowsholme Hall and The Tithe Barn, Clitheroe Gibbon Bridge Hotel and Restaurant, Chipping Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green The Wellbeing Farm, Turton West Tower Exclusive Wedding Venue, Ormskirk

Small Tourism Event AwardBlackburn Cathedral Flower Festival Burnley Canal Festival Chorley Flower Show Obsession at Northcote, Langho

Large Tourism Event AwardBlackpool Dance Festival Lancaster Music Festival Santa Specials at East Lancashire Railway, Rawtenstall Vintage by the Sea, Morecambe

Cultural Venue/Organisation AwardBurnley Mechanics, Burnley Clitheroe Concerts Society Winter Gardens Blackpool

Lancashire Producers & Makes AwardArtisan Foodworks, Burscough Bowland Brewery, Clitheroe Cool Cow Ice Cream, Nr Preston Frederick's Ice Cream, Chorley

New Business AwardAscent Trampoline Park, Blackpool Bowland Cottage, Newton-in-Bowland The Hunters Pub and Dining, Preston Lancaster Music CIC, Lancaster

*Winners in these award categories have an opportunity to represent Lancashire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2016.Businesses supporting this year’s awards include: Headline Sponsor UCLan, BBC Radio Lancashire, Blackburn College, Blackburn Rovers Football Club, Brilliant Trees Media, Café Northcote, Huddle Media, Lancashire Business View, Lancashire Evening Post, Links Signs and Graphics, Northcote at the Rovers, Northern Print Distribution, Quality In Tourism and Total Foodservice