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Lancashire triumphs at the English Tourism 'Oscars'

Lancashire has achieved a double success at this year's Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2007. Number One in Blackpool was the Bed and Breakfast of the Year and Stanley House in Mellor was the Small Hotel of the Year.

The Awards, organised by VisitBritain and sponsored by The Caravan Club, were held at The Banqueting House in London on April 18. There were 12 Awards categories contested.

With two Gold Awards for Lancashire, it was a particularly good night for England's Northwest which had more winners than any other English region. The Chester Grosvenor Hotel was Large Hotel of the Year and Skelwith Fold Caravan Park in Ambleside won Holiday Caravan Park of the Year. In addition the city of Liverpool and Sir Paul McCartney were honoured with the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award.

Stanley House is a Grade II listed hotel featuring 12 individually designed bedrooms with luxury en-suite facilities, function suites and the acclaimed restaurant Cassis. Located close to both Blackburn and the Forest of Bowland, the hotel was praised for its high quality of accommodation with real character, as well as its use of local produce and commitment to sustainability within the local community (www.stanleyhouse.co.uk / 01254 769200).

Number One, Blackpool is a stylish and chic property located on Blackpool's South Shore, just a few minutes from the Promenade and Pleasure Beach. Awards judge and commissioning travel editor at the Daily Telegraph Jo Symons commented: "What they've done in Blackpool is exceptional" (www.numberoneblackpool.com / 01253 343 901).

Lancashire's winners had previously won at the England's Northwest Tourism Awards last October, organised by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), and prior to that had come out on top at last June's Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards

A delighted Mike Wilkinson, chief executive of Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board said: "This is a fantastic achievement for both Stanley House and Number One, and great news for Lancashire and Blackpool where the tourist board is taking a determined approach to raising quality and encouraging business excellence.

"To win two national awards is proof that we are on the right track. Lancashire may not be on everyone's lips as their next holiday destination, but it's time to think again. There are more gems here just waiting to be discovered."

Felicity Goodey, Chair of the Tourism Forum for England's Northwest, said:
"This terrific news recognises that the region now offers visitors some of the best service and accommodation in the country. England's Northwest has set out to become one of the most popular destinations in Europe. To have so many national winners is proof that we have a tourism industry which is really raising the game and will not be satisfied until we are recognised as a premier destination."

The ceremony for the 2007/08 Lancashire and Blackpool Tourism Awards takes place on June 20 at De Vere Heron's Reach Hotel in Blackpool.