17 October 2006

Finalists vie for tourism 'Oscars' of England's Northwest

On Tuesday 24th October the cream of the region's tourism businesses will be battling it out to be named the best in the Northwest at the third annual England's Northwest Tourism Awards.

The high-profile event, organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and hosted by BBC North West Tonight presenters Gordon Burns and Dianne Oxberry, will be held at the new Manchester Hilton Hotel, in the city's soaring Beetham Tower.

Winners from the five sub-regional tourism awards will be competing at a regional level in the hope that they will come away with the coveted title of best in the Northwest, along with a gleaming trophy to mark their achievement.

The England's Northwest Tourism Awards recognise excellence within the tourism industry and reward both group and individual achievement over the past year. In addition to receiving a prestigious title and trophy, regional winners will have the opportunity to represent the Northwest in the national Awards, organised by VisitBritain, in April 2007.

Felicity Goodey, Chair of the Tourism Forum for England's Northwest said:
"These tourism awards recognise the leaders in what is a highly competitive and rapidly changing industry. As consumers we are becoming increasingly demanding and all of these businesses are meeting and exceeding these demands, delivering the highest quality experience for our visitors and making England's Northwest a world-class visitor destination. All of the finalists are winners in their own areas, but perhaps more importantly they are setting the standards for others to follow."

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Notes to editors

Finalists in the England's Northwest Tourism Awards are winners from each of the sub-regional tourism awards

England's Northwest Tourism Awards Finalists:

Large Hotel of the Year
The Chester Grosvenor Hotel and Spa, Chester
Waterhead Hotel, Windermere
Big Blue Hotel, Blackpool
Radisson Edwardian, Manchester
Thornton Hall Hotel and Spa, Thornton Hough

Small Hotel of the Year
The Stannylands Hotel, Macclesfield
Rothay Manor Hotel and Restaurant, Ambelside
Stanley House, Mellor
Great John Street, Manchester
Hope Street Hotel, Liverpool

Bed and Breakfast of the Year
Harrop Fold Farm, Macclesfield
Riversdale, Grasmere
Number One, Blackpool
At Peel Hey Country Guest House, Frankby

Large Attraction of the Year
Chester Zoo, Chester
Muncaster, Ravenglass
Blackpool Pleasure Beach
Imperial War Museum North, Trafford
World Museum Liverpool

Small Attraction of the Year
Arley Hall and Gardens, Nr Northwich
Mirehouse Historic House & Gardens
Cobble Hey Farm and Gardens,Garstang
Hatworks, Stockport
World of Glass, St Helens

Self-Catering Holiday of the Year
Millmoor Farm Holidays, Nr Chester
Bridge End Farm Cottages, Eskdale
Wolfen Mill Country Retreats, Chipping

Caravan Park of the Year
Skelwith Fold Caravan Park, Ambleside
Fold House Park, Pilling

Tourism Website of the Year
www.english-in-Chester.co.uk
www.walkerground.co.uk
www.blackpoolpleasurebeach.com
www.urbis.org.uk
www.beatlesstory.com

Excellence in Business Tourism
Trafford Hall, Chester
Low Wood Hotel, Windermere
Lancaster House Hotel, Lancaster
The Lowry, Salford Quays
Foresight Centre, University of Liverpool

Taste of England's Northwest
The Hollies Farm Shop, Vale Royal
Westmorland Farm Shops, Rheged, Penrith
The Three Fishes, Nr Whalley
Redhouse Farm shop and Tea Rooms, Dunham Massey
The London Carriage Works, Liverpool

Excellence in Customer Service
Philip Patrick, Ramada Chester
Averil Dawson & Anne Cook, The Beacon, Whitehaven
Jeannie Farmer, Springfield House Hotel
Lesley Dann, The Foresight Centre, Liverpool

Tourist Information Centre of the Year
Congleton TIC
Penrith TIC
Morecambe TIC
Saddleworth TIC
Liverpool 08 Place

For further information please contact Helen Batte, Tourism Press Officer on 01925 400235 or 07764 239856 or Helen.Batte@nwda.co.uk 

For further information and to view previous press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk  

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