On Thursday 7 November, the world-famous Pleasure Beach Arena, Blackpool was the ‘coolest’ venue for Marketing Lancashire’s annual Lancashire Tourism Awards, supported by Headline Sponsor, University of Central Lancashire and Host Sponsor VisitBlackpool.
Blackpool-born professional ice-skater Daniel Whiston was guest presenter and entertained the audience, gliding through the twenty-two awards with great style.
Rachel McQueen, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire in her opening speech said,
“There are many reasons why almost 69 million visitors a year choose to come to Lancashire – for our events, attractions, hotels, pubs, restaurants, our stunning coastline, beautiful countryside, heritage, culture and lots more. Lancashire’s amazing tourism businesses and the people who run them. The Lancashire Tourism Awards is about recognising the quality and talent that we have in our tourism industry.
We must also acknowledge the levels of investment businesses are making; investment that enables us to constantly raise our game and gives Lancashire standout against the competition.
A massive thank you to the University of Central Lancashire, our headline sponsor, for their continuing support for Lancashire’s tourism industry. The university is one of Lancashire’s key assets, with an outstanding reputation and global connections. We look forward to further strengthening our relationship with UCLan as we work together to raise both the profile of Lancashire and the University’s excellent educational offer.”
Lancashire’s Tourism Superstar Award 2019 was the only award nominated and voted for by the public and was awarded to Nigel Seddon, Managing Director of Elgin Hotel & Hotel Sheraton. Nigel has been involved in Blackpool tourism for as long as he can remember. He first dabbled as a young boy ‘helping’ his parents following their purchase of the Elgin Hotel in 1969. He then joined the hotel in an official capacity at the age of 21 and the rest is history. Nigel accepted this award on behalf of all the team who work hard day-in day-out behind the scenes, to contribute to tourism in Lancashire.
The Lancashire Tourism Awards was supported by: University of Central Lancashire – Headline Sponsor, VisitBlackpool – Host Sponsor, Access Fylde Coast, Blackpool & The Fylde College, Creative Council, Insight6, Lancashire Business View, Lancashire Life, Lancashire Post, Links Signs & Graphics, Northern Print Distribution, Peter Scott Printers, Total Foodservice.
The evening’s entertainment was provided by Pleasure Beach Arena and singing duo Timeless.
For the latest news and for more information go to lancashiretourismawards.com and follow @marketinglancs #LTA19
Lancashire Tourism Awards 2019 – The Finalists and Winners
TASTE LANCASHIRE PUB OF THE YEAR
Ribchester Arms, Ribchester
The Spread Eagle Mellor, Blackburn – WINNER
The Butlers Arms, Pleasington
The Continental, Preston
The Millstone at Mellor
EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Inch Perfect Trials Ltd, Whitewell
Lancaster Escape – WINNER
The Bee Centre, Preston
VIVA Blackpool
NEW TOURISM BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Air Unlimited Burnley
Donkey Creek Farm Caravan Park, Freckleton
Hampton by Hilton Blackpool
The Flower Bowl, Preston – WINNER
The New Inn, Carnforth
Wigwam Holidays Ribble Valley
ACCESSIBLE AND INCLUSIVE TOURISM AWARD
Barnacre Cottages, Preston
Brickhouse Farm Cottages, Hambleton – WINNER
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
BUSINESS EVENTS VENUE OF THE YEAR
The Blackpool Tower – WINNER
Village Hotel Club, Blackpool
Winter Gardens Blackpool
ETHICAL, RESPONSIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD
The Bee Centre, Preston
The Butlers Arms, Pleasington
Moss Wood Caravan Park, Cockerham – WINNER
LARGE VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Ascent Trampoline Park, Blackpool
Samlesbury Hall
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
The Blackpool Tower – WINNER
Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton in Craven
VIVA Blackpool
SMALL VISITOR ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR
Carnforth Station Heritage Centre – WINNER
Inch Perfect Trials Ltd, Whitewell
Lancaster Escape
MiniLinks® Lytham St Annes
Old Holly Farm, Garstang
LARGE HOTEL OF THE YEAR
Best Western Carlton Hotel Blackpool
Elgin Hotel, Blackpool – WINNER
Holiday Inn Express Burnley
The Wrightington Hotel, Health Club & Spa
Village Hotel Club, Blackpool
CAMPING, GLAMPING AND HOLIDAY PARK OF THE YEAR
Broadwater Holiday Park, Thornton-Cleveleys
Claylands Park, Preston
Samlesbury Hall
Ream Hills Holiday Park, Preston – WINNER
Ribble Valley View
Rossendale Holiday Cottages
SELF-CATERING ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR
Barnacre Cottages, Preston – WINNER
Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Clitheroe
Rossendale Holiday Cottages
Tewitfield Marina, Carnforth
TASTE LANCASHIRE RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR
Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale – WINNER
Longlands Hotel, Carnforth
The Fisherman’s Retreat, Rossendale
QUITE SIMPLY FRENCH, Lancaster
TASTE LANCASHIRE CAFÉ / TEAROOM OF THE YEAR
Baker’s Coffee Shop, Bar and Restaurant, Egerton – WINNER
Dottie’s Wafflery, Samlesbury
The Potting Shed, Longridge
DOG FRIENDLY BUSINESS OF THE YEAR
Longlands Hotel Ltd, Carnforth
The Alma Inn, Barrowford
The Golden Ball of Longton, Preston – WINNER
The Top Lock, Chorley
CULTURAL VENUE / ORGANISATION OF THE YEAR
Spot On Lancashire, Blackburn
Deco Publique, Morecambe – WINNER
Winter Gardens Blackpool
Cuffe & Taylor, Preston
WEDDING VENUE OF THE YEAR
Beeston Manor, Hoghton
Foxfields Country Hotel, Billington
Samlesbury Hall – WINNER
The Blackpool Tower
The Fisherman’s Retreat, Rossendale
The Out Barn, Waddington
Wyresdale Park, Scorton
RETAIL EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR
Brooks Collectables and Toy Museum, Blackpool
JAK HANSON Shopping Outlet, Wrightington
Preston Markets
Whalley Warm & Dry, Whalley – WINNER
LANCASHIRE PERFECT STAY
3 Millstones Inn, Clitheroe
Fence Gate Lodge, Fence – WINNER
The Alma Inn, Nelson
The Coach and Horses, Bolton by Bowland
TASTE LANCASHIRE PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Choc Amor, Mawdesley
Goosnargh Gin – WINNER
Old School Brewery, Warton
The Gin Ginnery, Chorley
LARGE VISITOR EVENT OF THE YEAR
Christmas in Chorley
Lancashire Encounter, Preston
Lancaster on Ice – WINNER
Light Up Lancaster
Lytham 1940s Wartime Weekend
The National Festival of Making, Blackburn
SMALL VISITOR EVENT OF THE YEAR
Myerscough College Open Day & Country Fair
Grand Open Day at Shores Hey Farm, Burnley
A Thornton Hall Christmas Adventure, Thornton in Craven – WINNER
Make My Day! Morecambe’s Creative Theme Park, Morecambe
Tourism Superstar
David Bailey, Blackpool Pleasure Beach Arena & Globe General Manager
Mark Birchall, Chef Director Moor Hall in Aughton
Kath Cordingley, Head Bee-keeper, Bee Centre Samlesbury
Nigel Seddon, Managing Director, Elgin Hotel & Hotel Sheraton – WINNER
Professor Vanessa Toulmin, Historian and Chair of Winter Gardens Theatre, Morecambe
*These categories have the opportunity to go forward to represent Lancashire at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
