Lancashire Tourism Awards winners announced

The winners of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2017 were announced at a glittering event held at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.

Five hundred guests enjoyed a Lancashire-inspired dinner before Burnley-born BBC host Tony Livesey announced the winners.

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, which organised the awards, said: “A thriving visitor economy makes such a difference to a place and the latest annual visitor figures to Lancashire are now at a record-breaking 67m. With these visitors spending over £4.1bn and with almost 60,000 people now employed in tourism, we have a great deal to celebrate and look forward to together.

“I believe we have the people, the products and above all else, the right attitude to get this county noticed and appreciated. We have a lot to achieve to get to our goal of 70m annual visitors by 2020 but with collaboration, partnership working, with ambition and confidence, and with our true Lancashire spirit we will definitely get there.”

Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar Award 2017 was the only award voted for by the public and was won by the creator of Crafty Vintage, Laura Johnson. A full list of winners can be found below.

Lancashire Tourism Awards Finalists and Winners 2017

Small Visitor Attraction Award* HAPPA, Shores Hey Farm, Burnley

Large Visitor Attraction Award* Viva Blackpool

Dog Friendly Award* The Spread Eagle Inn, Sawley

Retail Experience Award Whalley Warm & Dry

Large Hotel Award* The Midland, Morecambe

Business Tourism Provider Award* Winter Gardens Blackpool

Small Tourism Event Award Cloudspotting, Slaidburn

Large Tourism Event Award LightPool Festival, Blackpool

Lancashire Café/Tearoom Award Potters Barn, Ribchester

Self-Catering Holiday Award* Newton Hall Holiday Park, Blackpool

Visitor Experience Award Inch Perfect Trials, Whitewell

New Business Award Ascent Trampoline Park, Blackpool

Wedding Venue Award Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn, Clitheroe

Taste Lancashire Award* Bertram’s Restaurant, Burnley

Lancashire Pub/Inn Award* The Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston

Lancashire Producers & Makers Award Dewlay Cheesemakers, Garstang

Sustainable Tourism Award* Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe

Inclusive Tourism Award* Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe

Culture & Heritage Award Winter Gardens Blackpool

Guest Accommodation Award* Crow Wood, Burnley

Small Hotel Award* The Villa Wrea Green * Winners of these categories will have the opportunity to represent Lancashire in the 2018 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.