FINALISTS FOR 2024 TOURISM & GOOD FOOD AWARDS REVEALED

More than 40 of the county’s best tourism and hospitality businesses will go head-to-head at the prestigious Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism & Good Food Awards 2024, sponsored by Staffordshire University.

Following a rigorous independent judging process, over 140entries from across the county have been whittled down tohelp decide the shortlist of finalists in the 19 categories.

The winners will be announced live at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony hosted by BBC Midlands Today’s Rebecca Wood, on Thursday 14th March 2024, at Aspects at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Many of the ‘Gold’ winners will progress to represent Staffordshire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2024.

Philip White, Cabinet Member with responsibility for tourism at Staffordshire County Council said: “The Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism and Good Food Awards are all about celebrating our amazing hospitality and tourism businesses and the people working in them.

“The competition is a great way of promoting the diverse range of providers, attractions and businesses that continue to deliver outstanding customer experiences.

“The awards ceremony itself is also a brilliant event that I’m looking forward to.  It gives us a great opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate. 

“I’d like to congratulate all those businesses shortlisted in this year’s awards and wish them the best of luck in the final.”

The finalists are:

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award, sponsored by WeAre Staffordshire:

• Alton Towers Resort

• The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme

• National Memorial Arboretum

B&B/Guest House of the Year:

• Black Lion Inn, Butterton, Leek

• Eagle House, Eccleshall

• St John’s House, Lichfield

Business Events Venue of the Year:

• Aston Marina, Stone

• The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme

• Keele University Events & Conferencing

Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year:

• Duck Goose, Leek

• The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer

• Thyme Kitchen, Lichfield

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award, sponsored by Staffordshire University:

• Alton Towers Resort

• Black Lion Inn, Butterton, Leek

• Eagle House, Eccleshall

• Hoar Cross Hall

• National Memorial Arboretum

• The Trentham Estate

Experience of the Year, sponsored by Staffordshire University:

• Alpaca Trekking, Wetley Moor Alpacas, near Stoke-on-Trent

• Gin Still Experience, Nelson’s Distillery & School, near Uttoxeter

• Photography Workshop, Chappers Photography, Abbots Bromley

• Throw A Pot Experience, LoveClay Studio, Stoke-on-Trent

Food & Drink Retailer or Farm Shop of the Year:

• Canalside Farm Shop, Great Haywood near Stafford

• Denstone Hall Farm Shop, Denstone near Uttoxeter

• The Titanic Brewery Shop, Stoke-on-Trent

Independent Restaurant of the Year:

• Dovecliff Hall Hotel, near Burton upon Trent

• FEASTED, Stoke-on-Trent

• The Flintlock at Cheddleton, near Leek

• Granary Restaurant at Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard

• Hoar Cross Hall

• Little Seeds, Stone

Large Hotel of the Year:

• CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Resort

• Doubletree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent

• Drayton Manor Hotel, Drayton Manor Resort

• Hoar Cross Hall, near Burton upon Trent

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:

• Alton Towers Resort

• Drayton Manor Resort

• Emma Bridgewater Factory

• National Memorial Arboretum

• The Trentham Estate

• World of Wedgwood

New Tourism Business of the Year, sponsored by Staffordshire County Council:

• The Boat House Kitchen & Bakery by Pom’s, Barton Marina

• Bobobo, Stafford

• The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer

• The Play Barn @ Round Meadows Farm, Wetley Rocks

Pub of the Year:

• The Bank House, Hixon, near Stafford

• Black Lion Inn, Butterton, near Leek

• The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone

• The Star at Cotton, near Cheadle

Rising Star, sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent College:

• Cameron Sutton – World of Wedgwood

• Harvey Tweats – The Trentham Estate

• Lucy Fletcher – Duck Goose, Leek

• Paige Burnham – Doubletree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year:

• The Apartment, Eagle House, Eccleshall

• Ford Wetley Cottage, near Leek

• Weston Park Holiday Cottages, Weston-under-Lizard

Small Hotel of the Year:

• Dovecliff Hall Hotel, near Burton upon Trent

• The Upper House Hotel, Barlaston

• Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, sponsored by R H Advertising:

• The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme

• Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke-on-Trent

• Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent

• Tamworth Castle, Tamworth

Tea Room & Coffee Shop of the Year:

• Canalside Farm Café, Great Haywood near Stafford

• Denstone Hall Farm Café, Denstone near Uttoxeter

• Pom’s Kitchen & Deli, Lichfield

• Ramblers Retreat Country Tea Room, Alton

• World of Wedgwood Tea Room, Stoke-on-Trent

Team of the Year, sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent City Council:

• Forestry England – Forestry Recreation Team, Cannock Chase Forest

• The Trentham Estate – Events & Operations Team

• Wetley Moor Alpacas – Walk Leaders

Unsung Hero, sponsored by Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group:

• Lea Sherratt – Dovecliff Hall Hotel, near Burton upon Trent

• Mick Thomas – Alton Towers Resort

• Stephen Wood – The Trentham Estate

Martin Tideswell, Director of Communities and Commercial Engagement at Staffordshire University, said: “We are delighted to support the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership by sponsoring the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism and Good Food Awards in this their 10th anniversary year.

“These awards are now hailed as the biggest Shire competition in England – a testament to the outstanding businesses who continue to put Staffordshire on the map.

“As well as being a wonderful place to live, work, study and visit, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is recognised as a crucible of creators, entrepreneurs and innovators – something that Staffordshire University is proud to support.”

For more information, visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com/awards or contact Richard Swancott at Enjoy Staffordshire, on 01785 277986 or info@enjoystaffordshire.com.