Southport BID Chair Dan Taylor said he is “immensely proud” of the impressive performance of Southport businesses at the 2023 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards.
A total of nine local firms were named as finalists in the prestigious annual ceremony, which took place at Liverpool Cathedral.
There were three winners too as delighted attendees showed off the very best of what Southport has to offer.
Southport Bijou Cinema on Post Office Avenue won the Hidden Gem Award, in the only category voted for by the public.
It was a category that Southport dominated, with four of the 10 Hidden Gem shortlisted spots taken up by local venues. Also celebrated were: Silcock’s Carousel on the Promenade; Cranberry’s Coffee Shop in Cambridge Walks; and Tik Taco restaurant on Coronation Walk.
Southport Bijou Cinema won the Hidden Gem accolade at the 2023 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards
Sunnyside Guest House on Bath Street in Southport – which was shortlisted for an incredible four awards – won the B&B and Guest House of the Year Award. It was the second year in a row Sunnyside has won the accolade.
The Eden Warehouse on West Street won the Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year category.
The Windmill on Seabank Road and The Guelder Rose on Marine Drive were both finalists in the Pub Of The Year category.
Braemer Southport on Bath Street was shortlisted for B&B and Guest House of the Year.
The awards were delivered by Growth Platform – Liverpool City Region
Southport Chair Dan Taylor was a guest at the awards and was delighted to see so many familiar faces, as he encouraged even more Southport venues to submit their nominations for next year’s event. He said:
“I was amazed that there were so many Southport businesses recognised as finalists and as winners when you consider the huge competition they faced from the massive range of leisure and tourism businesses across the whole of Merseyside.
“For Southport to be shortlisted in so many categories, and then to win three of the awards on offer, just shows the high quality of what our town has to offer.
“I am immensely proud of them all.
“The Liverpool City Tourism Awards is a superb opportunity to raise awareness and the profile of the businesses recognised on that night, and I am sure our finalists and winners will have been enjoying basking in the spotlight as a result.
“They have done a superb job in really flying the flag for Southport.
Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards at the Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool on 2nd March, 2023. Picture Jason Roberts
“It’s an important message that we want more local venues to put their names forward for next year’s awards!
“It was a very impressive event and a fantastic evening. These are very prestigious awards held in a beautiful venue. It was the first time I had been to it and I was nervous about what to expect! It was my first proper engagement as the new Chair of Southport BID and it was a great start. It was good to see so many familiar faces.
“To see so many finalists in the Hidden Gem category, and to see it won by Southport Bijou Cinema, highlights the quality of what visitors can find when they come to Southport.
“There is such a fantastic range of businesses that we have here that we should all really shout about.
“Many of our finalists were local, independent businesses. They invested their time, their money and their livelihoods into creating successful enterprises, and now they are reaping the rewards.
The team from The Windmill pub in Southport who attended the 2023 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards
“They have all been through some very trying times through the Covid crisis, and more recently through difficulties with the cost of living crisis, the energy crisis and the war in Ukraine creating supply chain issues.
“They have come through all of these challenges and they are surviving and they are thriving and making Southport a great place to come to.
“I hope local people recognise the efforts that business owners put into their ventures and go out and support them.”
The Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards is just one of the ways in which Dan Taylor and Southport BID want to see greater representation for Southport businesses through the wider Merseyside region.
There are many opportunities to be enjoyed.
Dan Taylor said: “One of the things which Southport BID is very keen to do is to forge greater partnerships between Southport and the Liverpool City Region to provide more help and support to our local businesses.
“We can really get behind lots of regional initiatives taking place and embrace what is going on.
Silcock Leisure Group was honoured at the 2023 Liverpool City Region Tourims Awards for their historic Carousel. Pictured are Serena Silcock-Prince, Justin Prescott and Taryn Marissa Dodd
“One example of this is Eurovision, which is coming to Liverpool this May.
“It is going to bring a fantastic amount of business to the Liverpool City Region and it is important that Southport is in the driving seat to really capitalise on that.
“Southport BID is putting together some exciting proposals to maximise that and we are looking forward to sharing more details very soon.”
Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards 2022 – Winners
Tourism Young Person of the Year – sponsored by Wild Thang
WINNER: Neve Sutton, Hosted by National Museums Liverpool
Unsung Hero Award – sponsored by Liverpool ONE
WINNER: Kayleigh Cox, Lu Ban Restaurant
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Veronica Matthews, Pullman Liverpool
Independent Tourism Business of the Year – sponsored by Bolland & Lowe
WINNER: The Romans
Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award – sponsored by Lexus Liverpool
WINNER: Sefton Park Palm House Preservation Trust
Business Events Venue of the Year – sponsored by ACC Liverpool
WINNER: Museum of Liverpool
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Ticket Quarter
WINNER: British Music Experience
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year – sponsored by Wirral Chamber of Commerce
WINNER: National Trust, Speke Hall
New Tourism Business of the Year – sponsored by EPIC
WINNER: Escape Live Liverpool
Resilience and Innovation Award – sponsored by BDO LLP
WINNER: St Luke’s Bombed Out Church C.I.C.
Experience of the Year – sponsored by Merseyrail
WINNER: National Trust, The Beatles’ Childhood Homes
Pub of the Year – sponsored by Mr Yum
WINNER: Liverpool Gin Distillery
Taste Award – Café/Bistro of the Year – sponsored by National Museums Liverpool
WINNER: Bold Street Coffee
Taste Award – Restaurant of the Year – sponsored by Knowsley Safari
WINNER: Antonio’s Bar & Grill
Hidden Gem – sponsored by The Guide Liverpool
WINNER: Southport Bijou Cinema
B&B and Guest House of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool Cathedral
WINNER: Sunnyside Guest House Southport
Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year – sponsored by Lu Ban Restaurant
WINNER: The Eden Warehouse
Hotel of the Year – sponsored by Liverpool BID Company
WINNER: Titanic Hotel Liverpool
Outstanding Contribution to Tourism – sponsored by Growth Platform
WINNER: Paul Beesley
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