Four more East Lancashire businesses have been recognised in the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2022.

Today Marketing Lancashire, the county’s tourist board and destination management organisation, announced the remaining finalists in the annual Lancashire Tourism Awards, which will now see around 65 businesses from across Lancashire progressing to the next stage of the competition in 21 categories.

The British Textile Biennial event and the Santa Specials at East Lancashire Railway have both made it to the best ‘large event of the year’ category, while both Jenna Bullows, assistant manager of The Whitehall Hotel and Distillery and Sharon Jones, hall director at Samlesbury Hall have been recognised in the 'unsung heroes' category.

Marketing Lancashire has also announced that this year’s awards will be held in the newly developed Blackpool Conference and Exhibition Centre on Tuesday, February 7.

Chief executive of Marketing Lancashire, Rachel McQueen said: “To see so many quality events returning after the last two years and entering the awards is a true testament to the determination of the industry to bounce back and create incredible experiences for visitors and residents of the county.

“If there was ever a good sign that Lancashire tourism is bouncing back, it is in the calibre and creativity of this year’s finalists in the Lancashire Tourism Awards.”

The finalists announced today will now join finalists including the White Bull in Oswaldtwistle and The Coach and Horses, Bolton-by-Bowland plus more who have already been announced in 17 categories earlier in the year.

The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2022 finalists announced today:

 

Large Event of the Year Award

  • British Textile Biennial, East Lancashire
  • Christmas by the Sea, Blackpool
  • Highest Point Festival, Lancaster
  • Santa Specials at East Lancashire Railway

Small Event of the Year Award

  • British Country Music Festival, Blackpool
  • Chorley Flower Show
  • Dino Day, Lancaster
  • Pumpkin Festival at Ridgeway Farm, Blackpool
  • Thornton Hall Christmas Adventure, Thornton-in-Craven

Taste Lancashire Producer Award

  • Brindle Distillery, Chorley
  • Goosnargh Gin
  • Lancaster Brewery Spirits Company
  • Morecambe Bay Chowder

Unsung Hero Award

  • Jenna Bullows, Assistant Manager, The Whitehall Hotel and Distillery, Darwen
  • Sharon Jones, Hall Director, Samlesbury Hall
  • Jeremy Rowlands, Owner, PLAU