Northern Design Awards to be held in Liverpool later this year, returning to the city for the first time since 2016. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool will host the 20th Northern Design Awards at the Titanic Hotel in November.

The awards were initially launched out of frustration at the lack of recognition northern designers received compared to their contemporaries in London. They have won the support of a long line of household names.

Over the years, judges have included broadcaster Linda Barker, Red or Dead founder Wayne Hemingway and George Clarke of BBC’s Restoration Man and Amazing Spaces.

They were initially held on a small scale, but they soon began to attract attention. Organisers began seeking larger venues. These included the Devonshire Dome in Buxton, Manchester’s Monastery and Liverpool’s Titanic Hotel, in Stanley Dock, in 2016.

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Director of events Shelley Mears said: “When the Northern Design Awards were launched, it was in response to the north south divide. It was apparent that northern designers wanted a means of getting recognition and celebrating their skills. On a regional level it just wasn’t available to them.

“We last held the awards in Liverpool in 2016 at this very venue. It’s such a commanding and impressive space with such history. Our guests were so wowed by it, that it seemed an easy choice when we made the decision to bring the awards back to Liverpool for 2022.”

The awards will take place on Friday, November 18. Deadline for entries is October 14. The Cheshire Magazine is one of the event’s sponsors. Managing director Kathryn Otto added: “The north is bursting with design talent.

“We cannot wait to see it all on show in November, alongside a fantastic night of entertainment and hospitality. This event has fast become one of the best nights on the social calendar and we are honoured to be a part of it once again.”

For more information about entering, attending or sponsoring the Northern Design Awards click here.