Three businesses were double winners at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards which took place at Liverpool Cathedral in front of hundreds of guests – full list of winners here. Tony McDonough reports
World famous Strawberry Field was one of three double winners at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards held at Liverpool Cathedral.
Immortalised in The Beatles classic Strawberry Fields Forever, it scooped the Small Visitor Attraction Award at the ceremony on Thursday evening. Strawberry Field’s Imagine More Café was named Taste Café /Bistro of the Year.
Other double winners included Sunnyside Guest House in Southport – which was crowned B&B/Guest House of the Year and also collected the increasingly popular Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award.
And Wirral’s Eureka! Science + Discovery won the New Tourism Business category and the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award.
Delivered by Liverpool City Region’s Local Visitor Economy Partnership and the Combined Authority, the awards saw hundreds of guests in attendance. They recognise excellence in the city’s region’s £6.25bn visitor economy.
The Beatles Story picked up the International Tourism Award, a new category which recognises businesses who provide an unforgettable visitor experience for international visitors, whilst the coveted Hotel of the Year award went to Titanic Hotel Liverpool.
The ‘Liverpool City Region Hidden Gem’ award – the only category voted for by the public and recognising the region’s best kept secret – went to Wallasey Beach Club. The lively community hub is a hotspot for water sports enthusiasts.
Two special awards rounded off the evening. The Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award went to Michael Eakin for his services as chief executive of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic.
Cunard picked up the Special Recognition Award for their contribution to Liverpool’s cruise sector and their impact on both the visitor economy and wider city region economy.
Host for the event was Kevin Duala of BBC Radio Merseyside and guests were welcomed with a drinks reception sponsored by Liverpool Football Club with entertainment from VIP Puppets and students from LIPA.
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Councillor Mike Wharton, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Business, Investment and Trade said: “Huge congratulations to all the winners as well as the shortlisted businesses and individuals.
“Tourism is a major economic driver in Liverpool city region, and it is the dedication and passion of those working in the tourism sector that makes our region the world-class destination that it is.”
Headline sponsor of the awards were Liverpool BID Company. Associate sponsor was Liverpool ONE.
The awards were also supported by Cool Breeze Events, Liverpool Football Club, The Metro, MSP Global, and Punch Tarmey’s with the charity partner Local Solutions My Time. Full list of winners:
Tourism Young Person of the Year – sponsored by City of Liverpool College and The Art School: Philip Barnes, Mersey Ferries
Highly commended: Jack Frank, Hilton Liverpool
Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Liverpool ONE: Mark McKenna, Liverpool Tourist Information Centre
Highly commended: Veso Mihaylov, The Jacaranda/Jacaranda Baltic
B&B and Guest House of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool Cathedral: Sunnyside Guest House Southport
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year – sponsored by Knowsley Safari: Quest Liverpool City Centre
Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool BID Company: Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Business Events Venue – sponsored by National Museums Liverpool: Aintree Racecourse
New Tourism Business Award – sponsored by BDO: Eureka! Science + Discovery
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – sponsored by Kimpton: Sunnyside Guest House
Highly commended: Future Yard
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award – sponsored by ACC Liverpool: Eureka! Science + Discovery
International Tourism Award – sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport: The Beatles Story
Taste of Liverpool Award – Café/Bistro of the Year – sponsored by B&L Creative: Imagine More Café at Strawberry Field
Taste of Liverpool Award – Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by PIB Insurance: Antonio’s Bar & Grill
Pub of the Year – sponsored by Wild Thang: The One O’Clock Gun
Entertainment Venue of the Year – sponsored by London Northwestern Railway: Shakespeare North Playhouse
Highly commended: Arts Bar Hope Street
Experience of the Year – sponsored by Merseyrail: Fab 4 Taxi Tours
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Ticket Quarter: Strawberry Field
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Virgin Experience Days: Liverpool Football Club Tours & Experiences
Liverpool City Region Hidden Gem – sponsored by The Guide Liverpool: Wallasey Beach Club
Special Recognition Award – awarded by the Local Visitor Economy Partnership Board: Cunard
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – awarded by the Local Visitor Economy Partnership Board: Michael Eakin