The winners at the Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards

The winners of the Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards 2021/22 have been revealed.

The awards recognised excellence and outstanding achievement by local businesses and individuals working in Cheshire’s visitor economy.

Last night (March 24) more than 300 guests from across the leisure and hospitality industry gathered at Nunsmere Hall for the awards and to see who would be taking home the top prizes.

Winners in the 18 categories include Chester Zoo for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and the new Resilience and Innovation Award, The Fishpool Inn for Pub of the Year and Restaurant 1539 in the Taste of Cheshire category.

The event, taking place in English Tourism Week, was hosted by composer, musical director and performer Matt Baker.

A charity prize draw on the night raised funds for the DEC Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal.

Nicola Said, commercial director at Marketing Cheshire, said: “It was fantastic to have representatives from Cheshire’s visitor economy gathered together to celebrate some of the best of what we have to offer.

“We know how tough it’s been for businesses over the last couple of years, particularly in the hospitality industry, so after two years away it was great to have the chance to get everyone together again.

“We all know Cheshire is a great place to visit and our winners are just some of the businesses and individuals that make it so popular with guests from around the country and abroad.

“We had so many fantastic entrants and I’d like to thank them all for entering, as well as everyone who helped make the event happen. Finally, a huge congratulations to all our winners.”

Joe Manning, Chief Executive of Marketing Cheshire, said: “I’d like to extend my congratulations to all our worthy winners as well as everyone who was highly commended and shortlisted.

“Business across Cheshire work incredibly hard to make it a welcoming and exciting place to visit and these awards help us to mark these efforts.

“Many of our award winners will go on to represent the county at national level at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2022 where hopefully they’ll showcase their efforts and pick up some more prizes.

“As we continue through 2022 I know businesses will continue to thrive and innovate and I can’t wait to see what they will offer to guests and customers.”

A full list of winners is as follows:

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

Storyhouse

Best Manager Award

Hannah Monteverde, Park Manager - BeWILDerwood Cheshire

Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year

Percy the Park Keeper: A year in Percy's Park - Tatton Park

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

Pitch & Canvas

Experience of the Year

The Spa at Carden

Large Hotel of the Year

Rookery Hall Hotel & Spa

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

Chester Zoo

Newcomer Award

Townhouse Hotel & Secret Garden

New Tourism Business Award

BeWILDerwood Cheshire

Pub of the Year

The Fishpool Inn

Resilience and Innovation Award

Chester Zoo

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

Cheshire Boutique Barns

Small Serviced Accommodation Provider of the Year

The Pheasant Inn

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

Escapism Chester

Taste of Cheshire Award

Restaurant 1539

Team of the Year

The Mere Golf Resort and Spa Team

Unsung Hero Award

Aimee Glennon - The Garden House Marple Charity

Wedding Venue of the Year

Nunsmere Hall Hotel

Highly commended:

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

Guild of Chester Tour Guides

McArthurGlen Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet

Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year

Post-lockdown recovery through social media growth - Carden Park Hotel

Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year

Blakemere Touring & Holiday Park

Large Hotel of the Year

Hotel Indigo Chester

Resilience and Innovation Award

Tatton Park

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

Sandstone Trail Cottages

Team of the Year

Carden Park Hotel - The Spa at Carden Team

Wedding Venue of the Year

Mottram Hall Champneys