Awards night honours businesses helping to provide the county with a thriving visitor economy.
Tourism is now worth a stunning £3.8 billion to Lancashire’s economy and dozens of men and women who have worked to make it such a success had their talents rewarded during a glittering awards ceremony.
This year’s Lancashire Tourism Awards were staged at Blackburn Cathedral, a fitting venue following the competion of the ambitious Cathedral Quarter development which has helped to transform the town.
Ruth Connor, chief executive of the organisers, Marketing Lancashire, said: ‘A thriving visitor economy makes such a difference. The Lancashire visitor economy is worth £3.8 billion annually and continues to grow year after year. I believe we have the people, the products and above all the right attitude to get this county noticed and appreciated.
‘We must be very proud of the many outstanding individuals here tonight, representing the best of what Lancashire tourism has to offer.
‘Tonight’s Lancashire Tourism Awards are all about Lancashire’s amazing tourism businesses, experiences and, of course our people. It’s about celebrating and recognising the quality that we have in our tourism industry that attracts over 64 million people to the county.
‘We said we’d return to Blackburn for the Lancashire Tourism Awards, once the Cathedral Quarter work had been completed. The transformation and the difference that the development has made is wonderful. I must congratulate all those involved in making this happen.’
The evening, supported by host sponsors Blackburn with Darwen Council and headline sponsor University of Central Lancashire, was presented by broadcaster Bill Turnbull.
Among the many awards was one for ‘Tourism Superstar’, with the winner decided by an online public vote. The winner was Leye D Johns from VIVA Blackpool, which transformed a large, empty Mecca Bingo Hall into a one room entertainment and events complex, dedicated to providing quality, live entertainment for Blackpool’s many visitors. In four years he built audiences to 70,000 visitors, brought much needed local jobs to local people and helped support many local charities.
THE WINNERS
Best hotel
Northcote, Langho
Boutique accommodation
Hipping Hall, Leck
Self catering
Brickhouse Farm Holiday Cottages, Hambleton
Small visitor attraction
Carnforth Station Heritage Centre
Large visitor attraction
The Blackpool Tower
Visitor experience
St Annes Beach Huts, Lytham St Annes
Tourism pub
The Three Fishes, Whalley
Taste Lancashire Awards
La Locanda Ristorante Italiano, Gisburn
Sustainable tourism
Browsholme Hall and The Tithe Barn, near Clitheroe
Access for all award
Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool
Conference venue
Winter Gardens Blackpool
Wedding venue
The Wellbeing Farm, Turton
Small Tourism event
Chorley Flower Show
Large Tourism event
Vintage by the Sea, Morecambe
Cultural venue
Burnley Mechanics, Burnley
Lancashire Producers and makers
Bowland Brewery, Clitheroe
New business award
Lancaster Music CIC