Cheshire and Warrington’s top-performing tourism businesses were announced at a glitzy awards ceremony last Friday.

The prestigious awards recognised the outstanding work delivered by all sectors of the tourism and hospitality industry and the professionals who work in it.

Held at the stunning West Cheshire College Creative and Services Campus, 300 guests enjoyed cocktails, canapés and a dramatic aerial dance performance before sitting down to a ‘Black Tie Oscar Style’ evening hosted by BBC North West Tonight presenter Dianne Oxberry.

This year’s winners included Chester Zoo who took away ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year’ and ‘Best Tourism Event of the Year’ award for their Dinosaurs at Large! exhibition.

Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre won ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year’ and Roman Tours Ltd picked up the award for ‘Best Tourism Experience of the Year’.

‘Large Hotel of the Year’ award went to The Chester Grosvenor with The Green Bough Hotel and Olive Tree Restaurant securing ‘Small Hotel of the Year’.

Peckforton Castle walked away with two awards ‘Excellence in Business Tourism’ and a ‘Special Recognition’ award for Daniel Naylor, Paul Healey and Simon Oxley who helped guests to safety during the recent fire.

‘Bed and Breakfast of the Year’ went to Churton Heath Farm B&B whilst ‘Self-Catering Holiday Provider of the Year’ went to Mellow Brook Cottage at Harrop Fold Farm.

Kerridge End Holiday Cottages secured the ‘Sustainable Tourism Awards’ for their Luxurious Five Star Self Catering Holiday Cottages near Macclesfield and ‘Holiday Park of the Year’ was awarded to Manor Wood Country Caravan Park.

Roses Tea Room, at award winning Ness Botanic Gardens won ‘The Taste of Cheshire Award’ whilst last, but by no means least, Leanne Shaw from The Park Royal Hotel won the new ‘Rising Star Award’ which recognises individuals who have truly made a difference to their businesses.

Chris Brown, Chief Executive of Marketing Cheshire commented,

“With a visitor economy valued at £1.78bn and supporting over 27,000 jobs, the evening was a fantastic way to give the industry and individual businesses the recognition they deserve. Moving forward winners will go straight through to compete at England level and potentially be the best in the whole country!”

Barbara Smith, Managing Director, Chester Zoo, winner of ‘Large Visitor Attraction of the Year’ and ‘Best Tourism Event of the Year’ commented,

“These awards are the icing on the cake following a truly exceptional year at the Zoo. In October we achieved an all-time high with over 38,500 members and record visitor figures. These awards are the perfect way to end the year and clearly demonstrate the quality of our attraction and people who bring it to life!”

Sue Stevenson, owner of Mellow Brook Cottage at Harrop Fold Farm and winner of ‘Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year’ confirmed,

“We are thrilled to win this prestigious award for our newly refurbished five star cottage. We have spent months lovingly restoring the 17th century barn and this award is a real boost to our staff and customers.”

Full list of winners:

Self Catering Holiday Provider of the Year         
WINNER - Mellow Brook Cottage at Harrop Fold Farm
 
Excellence in Business Tourism                               
WINNER - Peckforton Castle
 
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year        
WINNER - Chester Zoo
                                                               
Bed and Breakfast of the Year
WINNER – Churton Heath Farm B&B
                                                                                               
Best Tourism Experience of the Year     
WINNER - Roman Tours Ltd        
 
Small Visitor Attraction                               
WINNER – Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre
                                                                               
Taste of Cheshire Award                             
WINNER - Roses Tea Rooms
 
Sustainable Tourism Award                       
WINNER - Kerridge End Holiday Cottages
 
Best Tourism Event of the Year
WINNER - Dinosaurs at Large! – Chester Zoo
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Live Music Event
                                                          
Small Hotel of the Year               
WINNER - Green Bough Hotel and Olive Tree Restaurant
HIGHLY COMMENDED – Peckforton Castle
 
Holiday Park of the Year             
WINNER - Manor Wood Country Caravan Park
 
Rising Star Award
WINNER – Leanne Shaw, The Park Royal Hotel
RUNNER UP – Tori Hayes, Cruise Chester
RUNNER UP – Barry Turner, Best Western Premier Queen Hotel
 
Large Hotel of the Year                
WINNER - The Chester Grosvenor
 

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