It was a good night for one Liverpool hotel and the town of Southport at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards – and further evidence of the enduring appeal of The Beatles… see all the winners here. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool’s Municipal Hotel & Spa – MGallery Liverpool secured two notable successes at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards on Thursday evening.
Hundreds of guests gathered at Liverpool Cathedral for the awards, sponsored by Liverpool BID Company, and saw the Municipal win Large Hotel of the Year and one of its team members, Abigail Royle, scoop Tourism Young Person of the Year.
Southport also enjoyed a successful evening, with two of its standout venues claiming top awards. The Bold Hotel was named Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year, while Sunnyside Guest House secured Independent Tourism Business of the Year.
This year’s Event/Festival of the Year category placed the public at the heart of the voting process. The International Beatleweek Festival took the accolade after securing strong public backing and impressing the judging panel.
Double winners included Strawberry Field – Regenerative Tourism Award, and Small Visitor Attraction of the Year; and The Beatles Story – Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and International Tourism.
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Floating attraction and former Mersey Ferry Daffodil won New Tourism Business of the Year, a vindication of the delivery of a long project and millions of pounds of investment.
The evening concluded with two honorary recognitions: the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award, presented to Angie Redhead for her work on developing the cruise offering, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded to Lynn Saunders for delivering exceptional work on attracting film opportunities.
Natalie Wyatt, managing director, Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership, said: “This year’s winners highlight the exceptional talent and commitment powering our visitor economy, creating the people‑centred experiences that make our region stand out.
“Their work strengthens a world‑class destination that drives economic growth, supports jobs and keeps the Liverpool City Region thriving.”
The awards were delivered by Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership and the Combined Authority and supported by Cool Breeze Events, Horseradish Caterers, The Metro, Red Events and Hilton Liverpool with the charity partner Local Solutions My Time.
LCR Tourism Awards 2025 – Winners
Unsung Hero Award
Sponsored by Liverpool ONE
WINNER: Janet McMahon, Crowne Plaza Liverpool
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Peter Colyer, Independent Tour Guide
Tourism Young Person of the Year
Sponsored by City of Liverpool College and MSP Global
WINNER: Abigail Royle, The Municipal Hotel & Spa – MGallery Liverpool
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Luca Toner, Receptionist, Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year
Sponsored by Liverpool Cathedral
WINNER: The Bold Hotel Southport
Independent Tourism Business of the Year
Sponsored by National Museums Liverpool
WINNER: Sunnyside Guest House Southport
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Dale Liverpool Tours
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year
Sponsored by Knowsley Safari
WINNER: Premier Suites Liverpool
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Citadines City Centre Liverpool
Entertainment Venue of the Year
Sponsored by Everton Football Club
WINNER: Hot Water Comedy Club
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse
Taste of Liverpool City Region Award – Café of the Year
Sponsored by B&L Creative
WINNER: The Watering Can
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Moose
Regenerative Tourism Award
Sponsored by Kimpton
WINNER: Strawberry Field
Business Events Venue of the Year
Sponsored by London Northwestern Railway
WINNER: Liverpool City Halls – St Georges Hall
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Museum of Liverpool
Event / Festival of the Year
Sponsored by The Guide Liverpool
WINNER: International Beatleweek Festival
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award
Sponsored by ACC Liverpool
WINNER: Eureka! Science + Discovery
Pub of the Year
Sponsored by Wild Thang
WINNER: Arts Bar Hope Street
New Tourism Business of the Year
Sponsored by BDO
WINNER: Daffodil
HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Halyard Liverpool & The Holiday Inn Express Liverpool Central
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by Ticket Quarter
WINNER: Strawberry Field
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
Sponsored by Virgin Experience Days
WINNER: The Beatles Story
Experience of the Year
Sponsored by Merseyrail
WINNER: Liverpool Food Tours
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mersey Tunnel Tours
Taste of Liverpool City Region Award – Restaurant of the Year
Sponsored by PIB Insurance
WINNER: Hawksmoor Liverpool
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Nord
International Tourism Award
Sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport
WINNER: The Beatles Story
Large Hotel of the Year
Sponsored by Liverpool Business Improvement District
WINNER: The Municipal Hotel and Spa, MGallery Liverpool
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award
Presented by Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership
WINNER: Angie Redhead
Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented by Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership
WINNER: Lynn Saunders