Vintage wins for firms at Lancashire Tourism Awards

The Grade II listed art deco gem, The Midland Hotel at Morecambe picked up the Best Large Hotel Award while the much sought after Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar Award went to Laura Johnson. of Crafty Vintage.Laura said: “We are absolutely over the moon, its a great reward for all the hard work.“With my husband Dave and my son Dan we try to do our best for all the crafty and creative people in Lancashire who exhibit at our events.”She started Crafty Vintage six years ago with its first event at the Methodist church hall in Whalley, but now puts on events from Lancaster through Hoghton to Clitheroe and beyond, with up to 100 exhibitors each time.The awards night was held at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom with headline sponsor, the University of Central Lancashire and host sponsor VisitBlackpool leading the way, in support of the only county-wide celebration of Lancashire tourism.Browsholme Hall from Clitheroe picked up a hat-trick of awards – for best wedding venue, sustainable tourism and inclusive tourism. Other county winners included the Cartford Inn of Little Eccleston as best pub , while the Lancashire Producers and Makers Award went to cheesemakers Dewlay of Garstang and the Small Event Award was won by Cloudspotting of Clitheroe. Blackpool’s Winter Gardens picked up two awards, for best Business Tourism Provider and the Culture and Heritage award.The awards, organised by Marketing Lancashire, was attended by more than 500 guests who enjoyed a Lancashire-inspired dinner. Guest presenter was journalist and host of Drive on BBC Radio 5 Live, Tony Livesey.Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire 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 67 million. “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.”