12 May 2008

Shortlist announced for the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards

THE fifth Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards have attracted a record number of entries. The 2008/09 awards have seen 87 tourism businesses and organisations from across the county enter to try and win everything from Large Hotel of the Year to the Taste Lancashire 08 Award.

The previous best for entries received was 77 for the 2007/08 awards.

The awards are supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

There are 13 categories to be contested this year and from the 87 entries originally received a shortlist of 43 businesses has now been produced.

All will be in contention at the awards luncheon and ceremony to be held on Wednesday June 18 at Blackburn Rovers Football Club. BBC North West Tonight co-presenter Ranvir Singh is this year’s host and there will be a 15 minute cooking demonstration from celebrity chefs The Hairy Bikers to mark Taste Lancashire 08 – The Year of Food and Drink.

Winners of a number of categories will automatically qualify for this year’s England’s Northwest Tourism Awards, organised by the NWDA. If successful, they may go on to take part in the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence.

Mike Wilkinson, chief executive of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board said:

“In the past two years four of our award winners have gone on to achieve regional success and two have achieved the ultimate prize – success in the national awards. So it just shows what can be achieved when you are one of our finalists.

“It is also brilliant to see a record number of entries this year. Businesses increasingly appreciate that entering awards is not simply about being number one – great as that is – but how much taking part in the process motivates staff, demonstrates the business is continually improving and proudly says, `my business is special`.”
 
Peter Mearns, executive director of marketing at the Northwest Regional Development Agency added: “The NWDA is proud to support the Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards.  These awards are raising standards across the industry year-on-year and helping to ensure that England’s Northwest is able to compete with the best both nationally and internationally. I look forward to welcoming some Lancashire winners to the regional awards later this year.”

Those shortlisted and by category are:

B&B/Guest Accommodation of the Year:
• Little Stubbins Bed & Breakfast, Claughton-on-Brock Nr Garstang
• Number One, South Beach, Blackpool
• Whitestake Farm Bed & Breakfast, Nr Preston

Small Hotel of the Year:
• Bartle Hall Country Hotel, Nr Preston
• Crofters Hotel, Garstang
• The Shireburn Hotel, Hurst Green

Large Hotel of the Year:
• Barton Grange Hotel, Nr Preston
• Big Blue Hotel, Blackpool
• Elgin Hotel, Blackpool
• Sleepwell Carousel Hotel, Blackpool

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:
• Cobble Hey Farm and Gardens, Claughton-on-Brock Nr Garstang
• Farmer Ted’s Farm Park, Ormskirk
• Lancaster Canal Packet Boats
• Williamson Park, Lancaster

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:
• National Football Museum, Preston
• Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
• Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
• WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre, Ormskirk

Caravan Holiday Park of the Year:
• Eastham Hall Caravan Park, Lytham St Annes
• Newton Hall Holiday Park, Blackpool

Self Catering Holiday of the Year:
• The Beach House, Blackpool
• Bleasdale Cottages, Bleasdale
• Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages, Blacko
• Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, Chipping

Tourism Website of the Year:
• Blackpool Zoo – www.blackpoolzoo.org.uk
• Little Green Men, Chorley – www.littlegreenmen.co.uk
• Pleasure Beach, Blackpool – www.pleasurebeachblackpool.com
• Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green – www.ribbyhall.co.uk

Taste Lancashire 08 Award:
• Cobble Hey Farm and Gardens, Claughton-on-Brock Nr Garstang
• The Foodworks at Lancaster House Hotel, Lancaster
• Northcote Manor, Langho
• Weezos Modern European Restaurant, Clitheroe

Business Tourism Award of the Year:
• Barton Grange Hotel, Nr Preston
• Pleasure Beach, Blackpool
• Sleepwell Carousel Hotel, Blackpool

Sustainable Tourism Award:
• Bleasdale Cottages, Bleasdale
• Malkin Tower Farm Holiday Cottages, Blacko
• RSPB Leighton Moss Nature Reserve, Silverdale
• Sunset Park, Hambleton

Best Tourism Experience of the Year:
• Downy Ducking Experience - WWT Martin Mere, Ormskirk
• Inside Spa, Nelson
• Morecambe Bay Cross Bay Walks
• Santa Steam Specials – East Lancashire Railway

The awards category, Tourism Event of the Year, is being decided by public vote. Thirty events from 2007, chosen by all 14 Lancashire districts and the Tourist Board, are currently being voted on from a listing that can be found on visitlancashire.com. The first, second and third placed events will be announced at the ceremony.

Press enquiries: Adrian Marklew, Communications Executive, Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board on 01257 226614 or amarklew@lbtbltd.com.

Notes to Editors

1. Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB) was set up in April 2004. It supports tourism businesses in the Lancashire and Blackpool sub-region by representing their interests regionally and nationally, by co-ordinating marketing activity, managing and developing the tourism product and working in partnership with industry. Activities in commercial membership, business development, `Welcome to Excellence` training, visitor services and marketing activity are all designed to improve quality and achieve common goals.

In 2006 the Lancashire and Blackpool area attracted 58 million visitors who contributed £2.5 billion to the local economy and helped support nearly 49,000 jobs.

2. Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board is supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for:

• Supporting business growth and encouraging investment
• Matching skills provision to employer needs
• Creating the conditions for economic growth
• Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure
• Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life

www.nwda.co.uk, www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com
The Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board
St. George’s House    St.George’s Street   Chorley   PR7 2AA     Chair Lesley Lloyd
Tel. 01257 226600      Fax. 01257 469016                          Chief Executive Mike Wilkinson
www.lancashireandblackpool.com