TOURISM AWARDS SHORTLIST REVEALED
The shortlist for this year’s Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards has been unveiled – and they continue to recognise excellence across the City Region’s tourism and hospitality sector.
The annual awards are delivered by Growth Platform – Liverpool City Region Growth Company and this year in association with Liverpool BID Company.
Every year the judging panel sifts through the many applications to narrow down the very best, who will now go forward to the final judging panel ahead of the awards ceremony taking place at Liverpool Cathedral on 10 March 2022.
Peter Sandman, Head of Visitor Economy Development at Growth Platform, said:
“It’s great to see the visitor economy sector throwing their support behind these awards – this year we have seen close to a 40% increase in applications with many of those being new businesses getting involved for the first time. We are privileged to hold the event in such a stunning venue and to be able to celebrate our unique, diverse and resilient sector in style.”
The 17 categories include awards for best hotel, restaurant, and attractions, alongside some new awards for ‘Resilience and Innovation’ and ‘Unsung Hero’ with the return of the ‘Hidden Gem’ category which highlights the City Region’s best kept secrets and is put to a public vote.
Long-term supporter of the awards, the Liverpool BID (Business Improvement District) Company have stepped up as headline sponsors this year. Also confirmed are Quest Liverpool, Liverpool ONE and National Museums Liverpool as associate sponsors with ACC Liverpool, BDO LLP, Epic, Lu Ban Restaurant, Merseyrail, Ticket Quarter and Wirral Chamber as category sponsors. The Metro have joined us as media partners and Amion Consulting will be sponsoring the drinks reception and the aftershow party will be at Masons Bar.
Today we are also announcing the ‘Hidden Gem’ category will be back again for 2021. This category will be voted for by the public and will recognise the region’s ‘best kept secret’.
We want to hear what people think is the best gem in the Liverpool City Region, whether that be in Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, Sefton, St Helens, or Wirral. Gems may be attractions, bars, restaurants, tours, or natural assets which are off the main tourism trail. What is the city region’s best kept secret?
By nominating a ‘Hidden Gem’, they could be catapulted into the Tourism Awards spotlight. Further details can be found at www.lcrtourismawards.com
Sponsoring the ‘Hidden Gem’ category is The Guide. Jay Hynd, Director said,
“Liverpool City Region is packed full of hidden gems, all shining bright waiting to be discovered by tourists and visitors to our area. We are delighted to support this category and showcase some of the City Region’s best kept secrets. We will be encouraging as many people to vote as possible via The Guide Liverpool’s website so that the one overall unknown treasure can shine even brighter.”
The shortlist is:
New Tourism Business Award Boom Battle Bar: LiverpoolLiverpool Food ToursLiverpool VRVEMerseyMadeSKAUS Store & Cafe
Independent Tourism Business of the Year Duke Street Food and Drink MarketFab 4 Taxi ToursLiverpool Beatles MuseumLiverpool Everyman & Playhouse TheatresLiverpool Food ToursMerseyMadeShiverpool
Taste of Liverpool Award – Café/Bistro of the YearBenty Farm TearoomsBold Street CoffeeCafe Tabac
Caffe Cream of New Brighton
Taste of Liverpool Award – Restaurant of the Year Buyers ClubDelifonseca DocksideLu Ban RestaurantLunyaMarco Pierre Steakhouse Bar & Grill LiverpoolThe London Carriage Works
Pub of the Year Liverpool Gin DistilleryMasonsThe BridewellThe Denbigh CastleThe Windmill Southport
Resilience and Innovation Award Cruise LiverpoolLiverpool ONELiverpool PhilharmonicLu Ban RestaurantLunya
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism AwardRedstones CottageSefton Park Palm House Preservation TrustStrawberry Field
B&B and Guest House of the YearSunnyside Guest HouseThe Braemar SouthportThe Heidi Bed & Breakfast
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year EPIC ApartmentsQuest Liverpool City CentreStaybridge Suites LiverpoolStaycity Aparthotels, Liverpool, Waterfront
Hotel of the Year Formby Hall Golf Resort and SpaHope Street HotelPullman LiverpoolTitanic Hotel Liverpool
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year Royal Liver Building 360Sefton Park Palm HouseStrawberry FieldWestern Approaches
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Knowsley SafariLiverpool CathedralTate LiverpoolThe AtkinsonWorld Museum
Experience of the Year British Music ExperienceLiverpool Food ToursShiverpoolTreasure Trails
Unsung Hero Award Connie Blakemore, Formby Hall Golf Resort and SpaGerard Madden, The BridewellHannah Todd, The Interesting Eating CompanyPhil Phillips, National Museums Liverpool
Tourism Young Person of the Year Carlotta Cervia, Hilton Liverpool City CentreDana Heard, Camp and FurnaceEmily Doyle, Lu Ban RestaurantJaime Stanton, Woodside Ferry VillageMark Langan, Holiday Inn ExpressVictoria Smith, Shiverpool