Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards took place at Liverpool Cathedral on Thursday evening where all the winners were revealed. Tony McDonough reports
National Museums Liverpool (NML) and the National Trust both won two accolades each at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards.
On Thursday evening, hundreds of guests were at Liverpool Cathedral to see the winners of the awards, organised by Growth Platform, revealed. Former England hockey player turned broadcaster Sam Quek was the host for the evening.
NML scooped two awards. The Museum of Liverpool won Business Events Venue of the Year, and employee at Hosted by NML, Neve Sutton, won the award for Tourism Young Person of the Year.
The National Trust picked up both Large Visitor Attraction of the Year for Speke Hall, and Experience of the Year for The Beatles’ Childhood Homes tour.
And the ‘Hidden Gem’ award – the only category voted for by the public, recognising the region’s best kept secret, went to Southport’s Bijou Cinema.
Other winners on the night included Liverpool Gin Distillery for Pub of the Year, Small Attraction of the Year went to the British Music Experience and Antonio’s Bar & Grill, based in Prescot won Restaurant of the Year.
For the second year running Titanic picked up best hotel, with Escape Live Liverpool winning New Tourism Business of the Year.
Outstanding Contribution Award went to Paul Beesley – who has been part of Liverpool’s tourism scene for 40 years, working in both the business and leisure sides.
He has chaired committees, represented the city region at trade shows, and is the only individual tour guide in the UK to hold the Visit England ‘Quality Assured Tour’ accreditation.
Mark Basnett, managing director at Growth Platform, said: “It’s been a truly wonderful evening, full of inspiration and celebration. Huge congratulations to each and every winner.
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“We have much to celebrate and shout about across our city region, and at the heart of all of it is our visitor economy. This success story is thanks to every person here tonight along with many others who have helped drive this sector to become what it is today.”
Headline sponsors of the awards were Liverpool BID Company. Chief executive Billy Addy said: “Tourism is a vital economic driver in Liverpool city region. Each year we invest in attracting visitors, in showcasing the best the city has to offer, from food and drink to culture and spectacle.
“With Eurovision as a key highlight this year there has never been a better time to celebrate those who make our tourism industry the world class story it is”.
Associate sponsors were Liverpool ONE and Lexus Liverpool. Category sponsors were ACC Liverpool, BDO, Bolland & Lowe, EPIC, Knowsley Safari, Liverpool Cathedral, Lu Ban Restaurant, Merseyrail, Mr Yum, National Museums Liverpool, The Guide Liverpool, Ticket Quarter, Wild Thang and Wirral Chamber of Commerce.
The awards were also supported by Marketing Liverpool, The Metro, MSP Global, Hi Impact Media, Owen Drew and Virgin Experience Days, with the charity partners being Hospitality Action and Local Solutions My Time.
Winners were as follows:
Tourism Young Person of the Year – sponsored by Wild Thang
WINNER: Neve Sutton, Hosted by National Museums Liverpool
Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Liverpool ONE
WINNER: Kayleigh Cox, Lu Ban Restaurant
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Veronica Matthews, Pullman Liverpool
Independent Tourism Business of the Year – sponsored by Bolland & Lowe
WINNER: The Romans
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – sponsored by Lexus Liverpool
WINNER: Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust
Business Events Venue of the Year – sponsored by ACC Liverpool
WINNER: Museum of Liverpool
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Ticket Quarter
WINNER: British Music Experience
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Wirral Chamber of Commerce
WINNER: National Trust, Speke Hall
New Tourism Business of the Year – sponsored by EPIC
WINNER: Escape Live Liverpool
Resilience and Innovation Award – sponsored by BDO
WINNER: St Luke’s Bombed Out Church CIC
Experience of the Year – sponsored by Merseyrail
WINNER: National Trust, The Beatles’ Childhood Homes
Pub of the Year – sponsored by Mr Yum
WINNER: Liverpool Gin Distillery
Taste Award – Café/Bistro of the Year – sponsored by National Museums Liverpool
WINNER: Bold Street Coffee
Taste Award – Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Knowsley Safari
WINNER: Antonio’s Bar & Grill
Hidden Gem – sponsored by The Guide Liverpool
WINNER: Southport Bijou Cinema
B&B and Guest House of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool Cathedral
WINNER: Sunnyside Guest House Southport
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year – sponsored by Lu Ban Restaurant
WINNER: The Eden Warehouse
Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool BID Company
WINNER: Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – sponsored by Growth Platform
WINNER: Paul Beesley