County hopefuls line up for top tourism awards

With 110 candidates from right across the area, the 2017 Lancashire Tourism Awards will shine a spotlight on the industry with the finals held at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom on November 9.

Ruth Connor, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire said: “The response to this year’s Lancashire Tourism Awards has been outstanding, testament to the quality and variety of tourism experiences and exceptional hospitality businesses on offer to the 67 million visitors now enjoying short breaks and holidays each year in Lancashire.

“The tourism industry is vital to the economic health of the county and deserves a dedicated event that rewards and celebrates everyone who contributes to the success of Lancashire’s thriving £4.13bn visitor economy.

“Those who have reached this stage of the competition are to be congratulated, as applications increase each year and the field of competition grows.

"We wish all the finalists the very best of luck and look forward to sharing their success, with the support of colleagues across the industry, at a spectacular event in the country’s most famous ballroom, in the UK’s favourite seaside resort, Blackpool."

Candidates are set to meet the judges to put their case at Northcote at the Rovers, Blackburn on October 18 and 19.

Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar Award 2017 shortlist will be announced next week and the public will be invited to vote for their ultimate Lancashire winner.

The event is supported by: University of Central Lancashire – Headline Sponsor, VisitBlackpool, Blackpool and the Fylde College, Creative-Counsil, DFC, Jones Harris Chartered Accountants, Heart FM, Huddle Media, Lancashire Business View, Lancashire Life, Lancashire Post, Napthens, Nelson Town Council, Northcote at the Rovers, Northern Print Distribution, Peter Scott Printers, Quality in Tourism and Total Foodservice.

The full list of candidates is:

Small Visitor Attraction Award:

Carnforth Station Heritage Centre

HAPPA, Shores Hey Farm, Burnley

Inside Spa, Nelson

Mrs Dowsons Farm, Blackburn

Thornton Hall Country Park

The Woodland Spa, Burnley

Large Visitor Attraction Award:

Blackpool Zoo

Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston

East Lancashire Railway

Farmer Ted's Adventure Park, Ormskirk

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Viva Blackpool

Dog Friendly Award:

The Aspinall Arms, Mitton

Park Leisure Ribble Valley

Pendle Inn, Barley

The Spread Eagle Inn, Sawley

Retail Experience Award:

Freeport Fleetwood

Leyland Market

Whalley Warm & Dry

Large Hotel Award:

Barton Grange Hotel, Preston

Best Western Plus Samlesbury Hotel, Preston

The Elgin Hotel, Blackpool

Lancaster House

The Midland, Morecambe

The Spa Hotel, Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green

Business Tourism Provider Award:

Barton Grange Hotel, Preston

Best Western Plus Samlesbury Hotel, Preston

Lancaster House

Winter Gardens Blackpool

Small Tourism Event Award:

Burnley Canal Festival

Canal Fest at Botany Bay, Chorley

Chorley Flower Show

Cloudspotting, Slaidburn

Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival, Colne

Lytham Hall Open Air Theatre

Large Tourism Event Award:

The Hobbit, The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster

Lancashire Encounter, Preston

LightPool Festival, Blackpool

Light Up Lancaster

Lytham 1940s Wartime Weekend

The National Festival of Making, Blackburn

Vintage by the Sea, Morecambe

Lancashire Café/Tearoom Award:

Alices Tearoom, Lytham St Annes

Countrystyle Kitchen, Lancaster

The Dearden Tea Rooms, Haslingden

The Mill, St Catherine's Park, Preston

Potters Barn, Ribchester

The Village Tearoom at Wheelton

Self-Catering Holiday Award:

Box Tree Farm Glamping, Kirkby Lonsdale

Breck Apartments, Poulton-le-Fylde

Moss Wood Caravan Park, Cockerham

Newton Hall Holiday Park, Blackpool

Pine Lake by Diamond Resorts, Carnforth

Queens Mansions, Blackpool

Sunset Park Holiday Village, Poulton-le-Fylde

Visitor Experience Award:

Blackpool Ghost Walks

Dining with Distinction at East Lancashire Railway

Farmaggedon, Ormskirk

Go Ape Rivington

Inch Perfect Trials, Whitewell

The Woodland Spa, Burnley

New Business Award:

Ascent Trampoline Park, Blackpool

Clip 'n Climb Preston

Crafty Events, Leyland

Holmes Mill, Clitheroe

Moor Hall Restaurant with Rooms, Aughton

The Oxfordshire Hotel, Blackpool

The Rookery Roughlee

Wedding Venue Award:

Avenham and Miller Parks, Preston

Beeston Manor, Hoghton

Browsholme Hall and Tithe Barn, Clitheroe

Farington Lodge Hotel, Leyland

The Midland, Morecambe

Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green

The Spread Eagle Inn, Sawley

Taste Lancashire Award:

The Bay Horse Inn, Lancaster

Bertram’s Restaurant, Burnley

Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale

The Midland, Morecambe

Olive Tree Brasserie, Preston

Twelve Restaurant & Lounge Bar, Thornton-Cleveleys

The Villa Wrea Green

Lancashire Pub/Inn Award:

The Bay Horse Inn, Lancaster

The Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston

The Clog and Billycock, Pleasington

Eagle and Child, Ramsbottom

Freemasons at Wiswell

The Millstone at Mellor

The Spread Eagle Inn, Sawley

Lancashire Producers & Makers Award:

Brindle Distillery, Chorley

Choc Amor, Mawdesley

Dewlay Cheesemakers, Garstang

Sustainable Tourism Award:

Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe

Lancaster House

Moss Wood Caravan Park, Cockerham

Inclusive Tourism Award:

Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe

The Dearden Tea Rooms, Haslingden

The Mill, St Catherine's Park, Preston

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool

Culture & Heritage Award:

Clitheroe Concerts Society

In-Situ, Brierfield

Lancashire Theatre Workshop/Ribcaged Productions, Clitheroe

Lytham St Annes Spitfire Ground Display Team

Winter Gardens Blackpool

Guest Accommodation Award:

The Red Pump Inn, Clitheroe

The Woodland Spa, Burnley

Small Hotel Award:

Farington Lodge Hotel, Leyland

Kings Hotel, Blackpool

The Villa Wrea Green