THE county's top tourism businesses have been nominated for a showcase awards ceremony later this year.

Marketing Lancashire has revealed the 103 finalists competing in 22 categories for this year’s Lancashire Tourism Awards. 

The annual awards are Lancashire’s only county-wide tourism and hospitality awards.

Rachel McQueen, chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “The awards celebrate the achievements of the county’s tourism and hospitality providers, from hotels and attractions, to restaurants and retailers; an industry that brings £4.13bn to the Lancashire economy and employs over 59,000 people, who provide outstanding levels of hospitality to 67 million annual visitors. 

“Our annual awards not only recognise the accomplishments of this year’s outstanding finalists, but applaud all those who work in this wonderfully diverse sector for their continuing contribution to the prosperity of Lancashire. 

“I wish all the finalists of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2018 the very best of luck in the next stage of the competition and I look forward to joining sponsors, colleagues and partners in celebrating Lancashire’s brightest stars of tourism and hospitality at the awards ceremony in November.” 

The finalists will now have face-to-face interviews with the awards' expert judging panels, who will choose the ultimate winners. A number of the categories will also receive visits from mystery shoppers.

People can also vote for the Lancashire Tourism Superstar 2018. The fate of the four shortlisted ‘superstars’ now lies in the hands of public, with the vote opening on Monday and closing on Sunday October 21. Information on each of the ‘superstar’ finalists and how to vote can be found on lancashiretourismawards.com from Monday.

The winners in each of the 22 categories will be announced at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2018 black-tie dinner and awards ceremony in November.

THE FINALISTS

Wedding Venue Award

Fisherman’s Retreat, Ramsbottom 

Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale 

Holmes Mill, Clitheroe

Leighton Hall, Carnforth 

Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green 

Stanley House Hotel & Spa, Mellor

New Business Award

A’Vucciria, Rawtenstall

Castle View, Lancaster

Clip’n Climb Blackpool 

Fence Gate Lodge, Fence

The Lawrence Hotel, Padiham

L’Escargotiere, Bowland 

No. 10, Preston 

The Rookery Holiday Cottage, Roughlee

Taste Lancashire Restaurant Award* 

Bay Horse Inn, Lancaster 

Hipping Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale 

The Midland, Morecambe 

Twelve Restaurant, Thornton

Taste Lancashire Pub/Inn Award* 

The Aspinall Arms, Mitton

The Assheton Arms, Downham

Bay Horse Inn, Lancaster

Fence Gate, Fence

The Spread Eagle, Mellor

The Spread Eagle Inn, Sawley

Taste Lancashire Producer Award  

Batch Brew, Burnley

Bowland Brewery, Clitheroe

Calyx Drinks, Burnley

Choc Amor, Mawdesley 

Northern Whisper Brewing Co, Rawtenstall

Wignalls Yallo, Standish 

Holiday Village Award*

Pipers Height Caravan Park, Blackpool

Ream Hills Holiday Park, Weeton

Rossendale Holiday Cottages

South Lakeland Leisure Village, Carnforth 

Stanley Villa Farm Fishing & Camping, Greenhalgh

Self-Catering Holiday Award* 

Laythams Holiday Lets Retreat, Slaidburn 

Newton Hall Holiday Apartments, Blackpool  

Rossendale Holiday Cottages

Water Babies Narrow Boat Hire, Forton

Wolfen Mill Boutique Self Catering, Chipping

Sustainable Tourism Award*

The Bee Centre, Preston

Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe 

Fell End Holiday Park, Carnforth  

Moss Wood Caravan Park, Lancaster

Lancashire Large Hotel Award*

Hotel Sheraton, Blackpool 

The Legacy Preston International Hotel 

The Wrightington Hotel & Health Club

Business Tourism Award* 

Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe

Ribby Hall Village, Wrea Green 

Winter Gardens Blackpool 

The Wrightington Hotel & Health Club 

Lancashire Perfect Stay Award* 

The Assheton Arms, Downham 

Bartle Hall Hotel, Preston  

The Borough, Lancaster

The Spread Eagle Inn, Sawley 

Small Visitor Attraction Award* 

Go Ape Rivington 

Leighton Hall, Carnforth 

Mrs Dowsons Farm Park, Blackburn 

Shores Hey Farm, Burnley  

Thornton Hall Country Park 

Large Visitor Attraction Award*

Ascent Trampoline Park, Blackpool

Blackpool Zoo

Brockholes Nature Reserve, Preston 

East Lancashire Railway 

Madame Tussauds Blackpool 

Retail Experience Award

Bowland Food Hall, Clitheroe 

Fleetwood Market 

Heskin Hall Shopping Village, Chorley 

JAK Hanson, Wrightington  

Preston Markets 

Visitor Experience Award

A Brief Encounter with Leighton Hall, Carnforth 

Artisan Foodworks, Burscough 

Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours 

The Bee Centre, Preston 

Cultural Venue/Organisation Award

Blackburn Cathedral 

Blackpool Heritage Tram Tours

The Boo, Waterfoot

Carnforth Station Heritage Centre

The Whitaker, Rossendale 

Inclusive Tourism Award* 

The Bee Centre, Preston 

Sandcastle Waterpark, Blackpool 

Dog Friendly Award* 

The Aspinall Arms, Mitton 

Holiday Inn Express Burnley 

Ribble Valley Country & Leisure Park, Gisburn  

Rossendale Holiday Cottages 

Taste Lancashire Café/Tearoom Award 

Brew + Bake, Preston

The Dearden Tea Rooms, Haslingden 

Middle Holly Cottage Tea Rooms, Forton 

Shores Hey Farm Café, Burnley  

Tourism Superstar Award* 

Roger Borrell, Lancashire Life Magazine

Barbara Bryan, Mytton Fold Hotel & Golf Complex 

Simon Entwistle, Top Hat Tours

James Whewell, Wyresdale Park

Small Event Award 

Burnley Canal Festival 

Chorley Live 

The Penny Farm Open Day, Blackpool

A Thornton Hall Farm Christmas Adventure

Treasure Island, The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster 

Worsthorne Gala

Large Event Award 

Festival of Making, Blackburn 

Highest Point Festival, Lancaster 

Light up Lancaster

Vintage by the Sea, Morecambe