Two Stone businesses are preparing to battle it out in the annual Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism & Good Food Awards taking place on 24 October.
Almost 50 businesses from across the county, including Stone’s Aston Marina and The Borehole, have been shortlisted, from more than 80 applications, and will find out if they were successful at the glittering black-tie event, which Aston Marina will host.
Awards are available in 17 categories, and the 7th annual competition will recognise excellence in tourism and hospitality businesses, such as visitor attractions, accommodation, experiences, restaurants, pubs and tearooms. Many of the ‘Gold’ winners will progress to represent Staffordshire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in 2020.
Expected to attract more than 150 guests, the event, hosted by BBC Midlands Today presenter Joanne Malin, starts at 7:00pm.
Mark Winnington, Cabinet Member for Economic Growth at Staffordshire County Council and Deputy Chair of Destination Staffordshire said: “Tourism is a really important sector for Staffordshire and our awards give us the opportunity to celebrate with all our providers.
“Our local tourism businesses continue to do a great job, attracting more and more visitors, bringing in around £1.8billion for the local economy each year and sustaining tens of thousands of jobs.
“We are a wonderful county to visit with great locations, attractions and wonderful pubs, restaurants and farm shops that we are very proud of.
“I’m very much looking forward to the event and would like to wish everyone who has been short listed the best of luck.”
Last year’s winners included Drayton Manor Park, named Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, Swinfen Hall Hotel in Lichfield (Hotel of the Year), The Roebuck in Leek (Pub of the Year) and Dalraddy Cottage in Cannock Chase (Self-catering property of the Year).
Early Bird tickets are now on sale for the event, priced at £50 each. They include reception drinks with canapes, a three-course dinner which features Staffordshire produce and locally made cheese with coffee / tea.
Visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com/tastetickets to book and for more information.
Headline and category sponsorship packages for the event are available. Current sponsors include NFU Mutual (Stone Agency), Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Growth Hub, Staffordshire Business Environment Network (SBEN), and RH Advertising Ltd.
Sponsorship and media enquiries should be directed to Richard.swancott@staffordshire.gov.uk or 01785 277986.
The full list of businesses shortlisted for awards, listed by district, is as follows:
East Staffordshire Borough
- Denstone Hall Farm Shop & Café
- Greenacres Barn, Denstone
- Heywood Hall, Denstone
- Hilton St George’s Park, Burton upon Trent
- Meynell Ingram Arms, Burton upon Trent
- Nelson’s Distillery & School, Uttoxeter
- Uttoxeter Racecourse
Lichfield District
- Amber House, Alrewas
- Bradbury’s Farm Shop, Lichfield
- Drayton Manor Park
- Larder, Lichfield
- Lichfield Cathedral
- National Memorial Arboretum
- Samuel Johnson Birthplace Museum, Lichfield
- Swinfen Hall Hotel, Lichfield
- The Boat Inn, Lichfield
- The George Hotel, Lichfield
Newcastle Borough
- Dorothy Clive Garden, Willoughbridge
- Keele University Events & Conferencing
- The Lymestone Vaults, Newcastle
South Staffordshire District
- Essington Farm, Essington
- Oakland Holiday Park, Brewood
- Pillaton Hall Farm, Penkridge
Stafford Borough
- Aston Marina, Stone
- Canalside Farm, Stafford
- Cup A Cha, Stafford
- Perry’s of Eccleshall
- The Borehole, Stone
- The Little George, Eccleshall
- Trentham Monkey Forest
- Totally Delicious Restaurant, Trentham Shopping Village
- Totally Delicious Tea Room, Trentham Gardens
Staffordshire Moorlands District
- Alton Towers Resort
- Beechenhill Farm, Ilam
- Peak Wildlife Park, Winkhill
- Quarry Walk Park, Freehay, Cheadle
- Ramblers Retreat, Alton
- The Cottage Kitchen Country Café, Leek
- The Farmhouse at Gradbach Mill, Quarnford
- The Stafford Arms, Bagnall
- The Three Horseshoes Country Inn & Spa, Leek
Stoke-on-Trent City
- Best Western PLUS Stoke-on-Trent Moat House Hotel
- Emma Bridgewater Factory
- Gladstone Pottery Museum
- Middleport Pottery
- Waterworld
Tamworth Borough
- SnowDome
