Marketing Lancashire, organisers of Lancashire’s county-wide awards for tourism and hospitality businesses, has announced another raft of finalists in the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2023.

The annual awards recognise the success and achievements of Lancashire’s tourism and hospitality businesses in a wide range of categories, with the Small Event, Large Event and Taste Lancashire Producer having had a few extra weeks to complete their applications, in order to deliver a summer of unforgettable and spectacular events.

Amongst the finalists in the three categories are seven East Lancashire businesses, including three in the Large Event Category.

In the Taste Producer category, Mr Fitzpatrick's of Rawtenstall is shortlisted, while in Large Event the Blackburn Festival of Making, Accrington Soapbox Race, and Colne Great British R&B Festival are all nominated.

In the Small Event category, nominees include Darwen Live, Nelson's King's Coronation celebration, the Stonyhurst Experience in Hurst Green, and Spooks in Thornton-in-Craven.

Vikki Harris, Marketing Lancashire director of marketing and partnerships said: “After a successful and busy summer of great days out, food, drink and music festivals, as well as some of the country’s leading creative, making and participatory festivals, we are thrilled to name the finalists in three of this year’s most hotly contested categories.

“The categories of small and large events and Taste Lancashire Producer had a little extra time to complete their applications, to enable them to compete in this year’s competition. 

“As a result, we have been rewarded with an impressive list of finalists that truly reflects Lancashire’s wonderfully diverse visitor offer, during the main summer holiday period.

“They now go forward with all the other finalists to the judging stage of the Lancashire Tourism Awards and we wish them all the very best of luck.”

The finalists are as follows:

Taste Lancashire Producer

  • Crave Marinades, Preston
  • Fairham Distillery, Penwortham
  • Lone Wolf Bakery, Morecambe
  • Lucela’s, Bispham
  • Mr Fitzpatrick's, Rawtenstall
  • Sandgrown Spirits, Lytham

Large Event (15,000+ visitors)

  • Amazing Accrington Soapbox Challenge 2023
  • Festa Italia, Lancaster
  • National Festival of Making, Blackburn.
  • The Great British R&B Festival, Colne
  • Vintage by the Sea, Morecambe

Small Event (less than 15,000 visitors)

  • Chorley Live
  • Chorley 10K
  • Chorley Flower Show
  • Coronation Event, Nelson
  • Darwen Live
  • Dino Fest, Lancaster
  • Music in the Park, Leyland
  • Myerscough College & University Country Fair
  • Nestival Gin Festival, Brindle Distillery, Chorley
  • Stonyhurst Experience - Summer Sports Camps, Hurst Green
  • Spooks, Thornton Hall Country Park, Thornton in Craven

Only one category now remains open for applications - the Hospitality and Tourism Student of the Year award, which closes on Tuesday, October 10.

This award is open to any individual studying a hospitality or tourism-related course who demonstrates exceptional commitment to a career in hospitality or tourism.

The finalists in the category of Unsung Hero will be announced shortly. This award recognises an individual working in a tourism business who excels in their role and deserves to be applauded for their work and commitment to the industry.

Colleagues and industry partners across the sector have nominated unsung heroes for the award which is now being shortlisted. 

For the full list of finalists to date and the application form for Hospitality and Tourism Student of the Year go to LancashireTourismAwards.com

The Lancashire Tourism Awards 2023 ceremony, announcing all the winners, will take place at King Georges Hall in Blackburn on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, with the headline sponsor being University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and destination sponsor Blackburn with Darwen Council.