A number of businesses from Preston and the surrounding area have been announced as finalists in the annual Lancashire Tourism Awards.

Samlesbury Hall leads the way with nominations in six categories – Business Events Venue, Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park, Cultural Venue / Organisation, Dog Friendly Business, Small Visitor Attraction, and Wedding Venue.

Preston City Centre restaurant Aven is up for the New Tourism Business and Taste Lancashire awards. Family Owned or Run Business finalists include Preston’s 1842 & Ivory Tower and Harrison Holidays.

Haighton Manor is up for the Pub award, while Weddings at Ribby Hall Village in Wrea Green is a finalist in the Hotel Wedding Venue category, and Anderton Centre in Chorley is nominated for the Business Events Venue.

Read more: The Black Horse in Preston named as one of CAMRA’s top 17 pubs in UK

Before the awards ceremony takes place in February 2025, the finalists will progress through a number of stages including mystery shopping, announced visits and interviews with the independent Lancashire Tourism Award judges.

Vikki Harris, Marketing and Partnership Director of Marketing Lancashire, said “Today’s finalists have been through a rigorous shortlisting process, mapped against nationally set criteria, and earned a place in the county’s most prestigious tourism and hospitality awards.

“We wish them luck through the next stages of the competition and look forward to celebrating with them at the awards ceremony early next year. Our judges will consider all the evidence, reports and interviews before selecting the winners of the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2024.

“This year’s finalists are leaders in their field and we are thrilled to support them through the next stages of the awards process and to support our judges, who have quite a task on their hands. Congratulations to all this year’s finalists, you’ve risen to the challenge and are now on your way to winning a prestigious Lancashire Tourism Award.”

The award categories of Small Event, Large Event and Hospitality and Tourism Student Award will remain open until 11 October to allow events taking place over the summer months to enter the awards.

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This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.ukami for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.