Meet the winners of this year’s LCR Tourism Awards

Liverpool Cathedral provided the stunning backdrop for last night’s Liverpool City Region (LCR) Tourism Awards.

The prestigious LCR Tourism Awards took centre stage on February 29, celebrating the outstanding achievements of the city region’s tourism and hospitality industry throughout 2023.

Organized by Growth Platform – Liverpool City Region Growth Company, the annual awards ceremony brought together industry leaders, innovators, and rising stars for a night of recognition and celebration.

Among the evening’s standout winners was Shakespeare North Playhouse, claiming three coveted awards: New Tourism Business of the Year, Unsung Hero, and Tourism Young Person of the Year.

The Invisible Wind Factory took home the special Eurovision Experience of the Year award for their captivating Aquatopia – The Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade, a mesmerising event that took place in last May’s Eurovision celebrations.

In a category voted for by the public, The Bus Yard emerged as the winner of the ‘Liverpool City Region Hidden Gem’ award, showcasing the region’s best-kept secret with its unique concept of two converted double-decker buses operating in Crosby Marina and Liverpool ONE.

The evening also honoured other deserving winners, including The Art School for Restaurant of the Year, The Red Fox in Thornton Hough for Pub of the Year, and Strawberry Field for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. The prestigious Hotel of the Year title was claimed by Hope Street Hotel, recognising their commitment to exceptional hospitality and guest experiences.

The Outstanding Contribution to Tourism award was presented to Chris Brown, acknowledging his remarkable 35-year career in the tourism industry. As the former Director of Marketing Liverpool and current trustee at Shakespeare North Playhouse, Brown’s dedication and leadership have played a pivotal role in shaping Liverpool’s tourism landscape and driving its success.

Hosted by Leanne Campbell of Radio City, the awards ceremony featured a vibrant atmosphere with a drinks reception sponsored by Virgin Experience Days and Liverpool Football Club.

Guests were treated to captivating performances by local choir Very Vocal, adding a touch of musical magic to the evening’s festivities.

Councillor Mike Wharton, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Portfolio Holder for Economic Development and Business said: 

 “The Tourism Awards enable us to celebrate and showcase what the city region has to offer across the visitor economy. To see so many entries not only shows how prestigious these awards are but also the amount of healthy competition we have – which continues to push tourism standards up. As a growth sector this brings both economic benefits and increases the city region’s reputation. Huge congratulations to all the winners as well as the shortlisted businesses and individuals.”

Headline sponsor of the awards were Liverpool BID Company and their CEO, Bill Addy, said:

“We are always delighted to sponsor the Tourism Awards as this sector is a vital economic driver in our region. The people and businesses who deliver this work deserve recognition, and we are so pleased for all of the sector winners. It has been such a strong and positive year for our tourism and visitor economy. We have seen this first hand, in the first operating year of the Accommodation BID, which provides a platform for the hotel and serviced accommodation sector. Eurovision is the major headline of course, but there have been incredible events and activity, day in and day out, to help make this city world class.” 

Associate sponsors were Liverpool ONE and Lexus Liverpool. Category sponsors were ACC Liverpool, Bolland & Lowe, BDO LLP, City of Liverpool College, The Guide Liverpool, Hospitality Hero, Kimpton, Knowsley Safari, Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Merseyrail, National Museums Liverpool, PIB Insurance, Ticket Quarter, West Midlands Trains and Wild Thang.

The awards were also supported by Cool Breeze Events, Arts Bar Baltic, Liverpool Football Club, The Metro, MSP Global and Virgin Experience Days, 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 Hospitality Hero 

WINNER: James Duckworth, Shakespeare North Playhouse

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Amber Kinrade, Strawberry Field

Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Liverpool ONE

WINNER: Meg Terzza, Shakespeare North Playhouse

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Chris Duffy, Hilton Liverpool

B&B and Guest House of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool Cathedral

WINNER: The Braemar Southport

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year – sponsored by National Museums Liverpool       

WINNER: Staybridge Suites Liverpool

Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool BID Company         

WINNER: Hope Street Hotel

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Novotel Paddington Village

Business Events Venue – sponsored by ACC Liverpool

WINNER: Spaces at The Spine

New Tourism Business Award – sponsored by BDO LLP

WINNER: Shakespeare North Playhouse

Taste of Liverpool Award – Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Knowsley Safari  

WINNER: The Art School

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – sponsored by Lexus Liverpool 

WINNER: Sunnyside Guest House

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Leonardo Hotels Liverpool

Independent Tourism Business of the Year – sponsored by Bolland & Lowe

WINNER: Manifest

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Fab 4 Taxi Tours

Eurovision Experience of the Year – sponsored by West Midlands Trains

WINNER: Invisible Wind Factory presents Aquatopia – The Blue and Yellow Submarine Parade

HIGHLY COMMENDED: National Museums Liverpool

Taste of Liverpool Award – Café/Bistro of the Year – sponsored by PIB Insurance      

WINNER: The Watering Can

Pub of the Year – sponsored by Wild Thang       

WINNER: The Red Fox Thornton Hough

Entertainment Venue of the Year – sponsored by Kimpton

WINNER: M&S Bank Arena

SPECIAL RECOGNITION: Liverpool Philharmonic

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Future Yard

Experience of the Year – sponsored by Merseyrail          

WINNER: Liverpool Food Tours – A Taste of Liverpool Food Walking Tour

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Ticket Quarter     

WINNER: Strawberry Field

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Liverpool Beatles Museum

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport           

WINNER: Liverpool Cathedral

Liverpool City Region Hidden Gem

WINNER: The Bus Yard

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – sponsored by Growth Platform

WINNER: Chris Brown

For more info on the LCR Tourism Awards click here. For the latest news in Liverpool click here.