Lancashire Tourism Awards finalists announced

Marketing Lancashire, the county's destination management organisation, has revealed the finalists of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2015.

The only tourism-focused awards in Lancashire will take place on Thursday 5 November in the 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 six years and these visitors are now spending more in the county, making a £3.68bn 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."

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 AwardThe Bromley, Blackpool The Kings, Blackpool The Millstone at MellorNo 1 Crow Wood, Burnley

Holiday Park/ Holiday Village AwardBay View Holiday Park, Carnforth Claylands Park, Garstang Sunset Park, Hambleton

Small Hotel AwardBartle Hall Hotel, Preston The Shireburn Arms, Clitheroe The Villa Country House Hotel, Wrea Green

Large Hotel AwardBarton Grange Hotel, Preston Best Western Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, BlackburnThe Dalmeny Resort Hotel, Lytham St Annes Elgin Hotel, BlackpoolThe Imperial Hotel, BlackpoolMacdonald Kilhey Court Hotel, West Lancashire Macdonald Tickled Trout Hotel, Preston Wrightington Hotel & Country Club, West Lancashire

Self-Catering Holiday AwardBreck Apartments, Poulton Le Fylde Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages, HambletonQueens Mansions, Burbage Holiday Lodge, Blackpool Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, Chipping

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

Wedding Venue AwardBartle Hall Hotel, Preston Barton Grange Hotel, Preston Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn, ClitheroeThe Gibbon Bridge Hotel, PrestonThe Midland, MorecambeMitton Hall, Whalley The Villa Country House Hotel, Wrea Green West Tower Exclusive Venue, Ormskirk

Taste Lancashire AwardAspect Bar and Bistro, MorecambeThe Bay Horse Inn, LancasterBertram's Restaurant, Burnley The Fish House FleetwoodLa Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn The Midland, Morecambe Twelve Restaurant and Lounge Bar, Thornton

Tourism Pub AwardAssheton Arms, ClitheroeThe Cartford Inn, Little EcclestonEagle and Child, Ramsbottom The Sparrowhawk, Burnley

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

Tourism Event AwardBlackpool Dance Festival Chorley Flower ShowCountryside Comes to Town, Blackburn The Dukes Park Show, LancasterFleetwood 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 AwardBrowsholme Hall, Clitheroe Carnforth Station Heritage CentreThe Grand Theatre, BlackpoolLeighton Hall, Carnforth St Annes Beach Huts, Lytham St Annes The Woodland Spa, Burnley

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

Cultural Venue/Organisation AwardThe Dukes, LancasterThe Grand Theatre, BlackpoolGrundy Art Gallery, Blackpool Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston The Whitaker Museum + Art Gallery, Rossendale Winter Gardens Blackpool

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

Access for All AwardBrickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages, Hambleton Sandcastle Waterpark, BlackpoolWheels for All, Lancashire

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

Visitor Experience AwardBay Cycle Way, Morecambe Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours Blackpool Resort PassFarmaggedon, Ormskirk Footgolf at Best Western Mytton Fold Hotel and Golf Complex, Blackburn

Customer Service AwardBarton 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 AwardAspinall Arms, Clitheroe The Dearden Tea Rooms, HaslingdenGuild Promotions, Preston The Higher Buck, Clitheroe The Hunters, Preston Best for Groups AwardClifton Park Hotel, Lytham St Annes Impact Blackpool Leighton Hall, Carnforth Oswaldtwistle Mills