Tourism awards contenders unveiled

The shortlist for the Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards 2011 has been announced by the panel of 23 tourism industry judges.

The shortlist for the awards, which take place at the new West Cheshire College Creative & Services Campus in Ellesmere Port on Friday 18 November, 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

• Alexandra Court Hotel
• Green Bough Hotel and Olive Tree Restaurant
• Peckforton Castle

Bed and Breakfast of the Year

• 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
• 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

• Forum Studio Theatre
• Jodrell Bank
• Roman High Tea Cruise by the Mill Hotel

Tourism Experience of the Year

• Go Ape Delamere
• Leah's Pantry
• Roman High Tea Cruise by the Mill Hotel
• Roman Tours

Best Tourism Event of the Year

• Cholmondeley Pageant of Power
• Dinosaurs at Large – Chester Zoo
• Live From Jodrell Bank, music event
• MBNA Chestival

Taste of Cheshire Award

• Harrop Fold Farm including Leah's Pantry
• Lord Binning Pub & Kitchen
• Peckforton Castle
• Roses Tea Room

Excellence in Business Tourism

• Carden Park Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa
• 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

Chris Brown, chief executive of Marketing Cheshire, said: "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."

Brian Mellor, Master Chef of Great Britain and one of the 23 judges, commented: "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 of West Cheshire College, said: "Our 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."

The winners will be announced at the black-tie awards ceremony in the new West Cheshire College Creative & Services Campus, on Friday 18 November 2011. Tickets are available to buy by downloading a booking form at www.whycheshire.com/aboutus/about-us/annual-awards, or telephoning 01244 405600. The event is expected to sell out and organisers recommend buying tickets early to avoid disappointment.