A WIDE range of Cheshire attractions and venues have been nominated for top accolades.

This year marks the 15th anniversary of Marketing Cheshire’s annual awards, which recognise excellence and outstanding achievement by local businesses and individuals working in the county's visitor economy, now worth over £3.5 billion.

The shortlist has now been announced, with the winners to be crowned at an award ceremony on Thursday, October 3 at The Mere Golf Resort & Spa in Knutsford.

Last year the event attracted over 300 guests representing Cheshire’s top attractions, hotels and businesses.

Mark Livesey, chief executive of Marketing Cheshire, said: “There are 16 categories in this year’s award ceremony, including new awards for Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year and Pub of the Year.

"As always, competition has been fierce because Cheshire is home to nationally recognised tourist brands and world class tourism professionals.

"The annual award ceremony is a great way to recognise and celebrate achievements in Cheshire’s visitor economy.”

Finalists for the Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards 2019 are as follows:

Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year

  • Blakemere Village
  • Dunham Massey, National Trust

Business Events Venue of the Year

  • Carden Park Hotel
  • Cottons Hotel & Spa
  • Crewe Hall
  • The Mere Golf Resort & Spa

Camping, Glamping, Holiday Park of the Year

  • Blakemere Touring Park
  • Bradley Hall Rural Escapes
  • Fir Trees Caravan & Lodge Park

Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award

  • Chester Zoo
  • Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre

Experience of the Year

  • Canal & River Trust, Anderton Boat Lift
  • Cheshire Outdoors
  • Tours Around Chester

Large Hotel of the Year

  • ABode Chester
  • Carden Park Hotel
  • Crewe Hall
  • Manor House Hotel
  • The Chester Grosvenor
  • The Mere Golf Resort & Spa

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

  • Blakemere Village
  • Chester Racecourse
  • ChesterBoat
  • McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Cheshire Oaks
  • Quarry Bank, National Trust
  • Storyhouse
  • The Ice Cream Farm

New Tourism Business Award

  • Cheshire Woodland Weddings
  • Tours Around Chester

Pub of the Year

  • The Fishpool Inn
  • The Pheasant Inn
  • The White Horse

Rising Star in the Tourism Industry Award

  • Tom Lawton, Interim Head of Golf, The Mere Golf Resort & Spa
  • Laura Callaghan, Wedding & Special Events Co-ordinator, The Park Royal Hotel

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

  • Chapel Chester
  • Chester Townhouse
  • The Hollies Forest Lodges

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year

  • 32 by The Hollies
  • Oddfellows

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

  • Cholmondeley Castle Gardens
  • Escapism Chester
  • Little Moreton Hall, National Trust
  • Reclaimed World
  • The Forest Distillery
  • Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse

Taste of Cheshire Award

  • Chef's Table
  • Davenports Tea Room
  • Hickory's Smokehouse
  • Picanha by Fazenda
  • Upstairs At The Grill

Team of the Year

  • Abode – Housekeeping Team
  • ChesterBoat Crew
  • Cottons Hotel & Spa Team
  • Dunham Massey Staff & Volunteers, Christmas at Dunham Massey
  • Tatton Park's Business Support Team
  • The Chester Grosvenor Kitchen Team
  • The Hollies Farm Shop Team
  • The Mere Golf Resort and Spa - The Greens Team
  • The Park Royal Hotel - Hotels Sales Team
  • Wild Rumpus Team

Wedding Venue of the Year

  • Cheshire Woodland Weddings
  • Chester Racecourse
  • Crewe Hall
  • DoubleTree by Hilton Chester
  • Larkspur Lodge
  • Tatton Park
  • The Mere Golf Resort & Spa

This year, the event’s sponsors include Quality in Tourism, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Pear Communications, Crofton Print, Sky Adsmart, Hipswing and Digitickets.

Tickets are on sale now and available at www.marketingcheshire.co.uk for the evening, which includes a drinks reception, a three-course meal as well as the awards ceremony.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, call Leonie Hallam on 01244 405606.