Organisers of the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards reveal shortlist for Hidden Gem award and invite the public to vote for a winner. Tony McDonough reports

Members of the public are being invited to vote for the Hidden Gem award winner at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards as the shortlist is revealed.

In October economic development agency Growth Platform published the shortlist for the main awards. Judges will decide the winners which will be revealed at Liverpool Cathedral on Thursday, February 29, 2024.

There are 19 categories this year including Hotel of the Year, Experience of the Year, New Tourism Business and Unsung Hero.

The Hidden Gem category celebrates the region’s best kept secrets and puts them in the tourism spotlight. Gems may be attractions, bars, restaurants, tours, or natural assets which are off the main tourism trail.

Over the last month the public have been voting for the shortlist now they are being asked to vote again to choose a winner. In association with The Guide Liverpool organisers have revealed a shortlist of 10.

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Janet Nuzum, sector manager for visitor economy at Growth Platform, said: “The Hidden Gem category is the only category in the tourism awards which is voted for by the general public.

“This year we received a record number of votes with more than 100 businesses nominated in this initial round.”

The Hidden Gem finalists are:

• Gin Journey – A tour to discover Liverpool’s rich past, with a delicious drink in your hand to bring it all to life.
• Glass Onion – Veggie/vegan café serving delicious fresh homemade food and cakes in Allerton.
• Hop/Scotch – An independent whisky bar tucked away down an unassuming staircase in Liverpool’s Fabric District.
• Lake House Waterloo – A stunning restaurant serving delicious, locally sourced menus at the water’s edge of the marine lake in Crosby.
• Red Brick Market – An independent Market in Liverpool’s Baltic district with over 50 businesses under one roof.
• Reel Tours – Walking tour in which you will visit many prominent film locations that have made the city so synonymous with moviegoers worldwide.
• Season Coffee, Bar & Kitchen – A cosy, relaxed venue offering a range of food and drink that uses only produce from other local independent businesses in Southport.
• The Bus Yard – Two converted double decker buses operating in Crosby Marina, Liverpool ONE Chavasse Park and other pop-up locations.
• The Danny – An Art Deco steamship, rescued by the passion and skill of a volunteer force who run the project and operate the vessel today.
• Tik Taco – A cantina serving locally sourced fresh, vibrant authentic Mexican food in Southport.

To vote for your favourite click here. Voting will close at midnight on Friday, January 12, 2024.