Businesses from across Cheshire have been busy nominating for the Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards 2011. First stage judging has now been completed by a panel of 23 industry experts and the shortlist has now been announced.
 
Bringing together what was previously the Annual Awards and CATS, the awards recognise the outstanding work delivered by all sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry and the professionals who work in it.
 
The shortlist for the awards is:
 
Large Hotel of the Year
•         Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
•         The Chester Grosvenor
•         Crewe Hall Hotel
•         Mill Hotel & Spa Destination
•         The Park Royal Hotel

Small Hotel of the Year
•         The Alexandra Court Hotel
•         Green Bough Hotel and Olive Tree Restaurant
•         Peckforton Castle

Bed and Breakfast of the Year
•         The Coach House
•         Churton Heath Farm B&B
•         Harrop Fold Farm
•         Mitchell’s of Chester Guest House

Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year
•         Commonhall Apartments
•         Kerridge End Holiday Cottages
•         Mellow Brook Cottage at Harrop Fold Farm
•         The Riverhouse Chester

Holiday Park of the Year
•         Manor Wood Country Caravan Park

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year
•         Chester Zoo
•         Gulliver’s World
•         Quarry Bank Mill
•         Tatton Park

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year
•         The Forum Studio Theatre
•         Jodrell Bank
•         Roman High Tea Cruise by the Mill Hotel

Tourism Experience of the Year
•         Adventure Forest Ltd T/A Go Ape
•         Leah’s Pantry
•         Roman High Tea Cruise by the Mill Hotel
•         Roman Tours Ltd

Best Tourism Event of the Year
•         Cholmondeley Pageant of Power
•         Dinosaurs at Large – Chester Zoo
•         Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre – Live Music Event
•         MBNA Chestival

Taste of Cheshire Award
•         Harrop Fold Farm including Leah’s Pantry
•         The Lord Binning Pub and Kitchen
•         Peckforton Castle
•         Roses Tea Room

Excellence in Business Tourism
•         Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
•         The Chester Grosvenor
•         Peckforton Castle

Sustainable Tourism Award
•         Best Western Premier Queen Hotel
•         Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
•         Chester Zoo
•         Kerridge End Holiday Cottages
•         Ness Botanic Gardens

Rising Star
•         Tori Hayes – Cruise Chester
•         Leanne Shaw – The Park Royal Hotel
•         Barry Turner – Best Western Premier Queen Hotel

The winners will be announced at the glitzy awards ceremony taking place at the stunning new West Cheshire College Creative and Services Campus, on Friday 18th November 2011. Guests will enjoy cocktails and canapés and be dazzled as the landmark building with its iconic rotunda shape comes alive with music and a ‘Black Tie Oscar Style’ evening of awards!
 
Chris Brown, Chief Executive of Marketing Cheshire comments,
 
“With a visitor economy valued at £1.78bn and supporting over 27,000 jobs there has never been a better time to join Marketing Cheshire and help celebrate with a fun and lively evening of awards and entertainment.
 
We hope businesses use it as an opportunity to get the recognition they deserve with the chance to go straight through to compete at England level and potentially be the best in the whole country!
 
This year we have almost halved the price of last year making it even easier for business across Cheshire to attend, network and reward key staff.”
 
This year judges reported the highest quality of entrants ever! Brian Mellor, award winning Master Chef of Great Britain and one of the 23 judges taking part in the awards explains,
 
“The judges were all really impressed by the extremely high level of entrants this year, demonstrating the fantastic quality and range of people and products that make Cheshire such a great place to visit and live. It made it really difficult to finalise the shortlist!”
 
Sara Mogel, Principal at West Cheshire College explains the college’s excitement at hosting the event,
 
“Our brand new Creative and Services campus at Ellesmere Port is a landmark building providing superb hospitality. We are thrilled Marketing Cheshire has chosen to host their awards with us this year. ”
 
Tickets are available to purchase now by downloading a booking form www.whycheshire.com/aboutus/about-us/annual-awards, or telephoning 01244 405600. The event is expected to sell out and organisers recommend purchasing your tickets early to avoid disappointment. 

For further information, please contact:
Rebecca Wainwright
Marketing Cheshire
Tel: 01244 405617