A beautiful team room in Southport has been shortlisted as a ‘Hidden Gem’ in a prestigious regional tourism awards ceremony – and would love you to vote for them!
Vintage Tea Room, on Botanic Road in Churchtown, has been nominated in the 2022 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards with people able to vote for them via this link.
It is among a total of 12 places shortlisted across Merseyside, including five from Southport.
Vintage Tea Room is a small licensed cafe bar situated in beautiful Churchtown Village, which offers customers breakfast and lunch menus, afternoon tea and a large selection of fresh home-made cakes.
This local, independent business is run by Amy Swarbrick and Steven Miles who opened it nearly five years ago.
They said: “We were delighted to have received the call to hear we had been selected and then to be shortlisted for this fantastic new Hidden Gem tourism award!
“After such a difficult time for all in hospitality, it brings a shine of light and positivity for the future.
“It would be amazing to win but we would like to wish the best of luck to all, in particular the other Southport businesses which have been nominated. It would bring a bit more welcomed tourism to our beautiful town.
“We would like to thank all our new and regular customers for their continued support.
“Without you this wouldn’t be possible, and thanks to everybody who has voted, please keep the votes coming!
“It will be 5 years this summer since we started the business so this would be really the cherry on top.”
Southport’s five shortlisted entries are:
- Bijou Cinema Southport, Southport
- British Lawnmower Museum, Southport
- Enelles Glass House, Southport
- Southport Pier Pavilion, Southport
- Vintage Tea Room, Churchtown
To vote for your favourite click here
Voting will close at 5pm on 11th February.

The Hidden Gem category celebrates the region’s best kept secrets and puts them in the tourism spotlight.
Gems may be attractions, bars, restaurants, tours, or natural assets which are off the main tourism trail.
Promoted in association with The Guide Liverpool there were more than triple the number of votes for this year’s awards.
The overall winner will be revealed at the awards ceremony on Thursday 10th March 2022.
The awards has already shortlisted three Southport guest houses in the Guest House of the Year category: Sunnyside Bed and Breakfast; Braemar Southport; and The Heidi B&B.
The Atkinson in Southport has been shortlisted as Large Visitor Attraction of the Year while The Windmill pub is competing for the Pub Of The Year title.
Celebrations are also in store for Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa, while their employee, Connie Blakemore, has been nominated for the Unsung Hero Award.
The awards, which are organised by Growth Platform and held in association with headline sponsor Liverpool BID Company and executive sponsors Quest, Liverpool ONE and National Museums Liverpool, will take place at Liverpool Cathedral.
Not only does the winner receive the accolade of Hidden Gem 2021, the overall winner will receive a Gold promo package from The Guide.
Jay Hynd, Director at The Guide Liverpool said: “This year’s shortlist for the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards Hidden Gem has surely got to be one of the strongest to date. We’re delighted to be able to offer the winning attraction a free video production and promo package on The Guide Liverpool to help support the business and make sure everyone in the City Region and afar knows exactly why they should visit our winner in the coming months.”
Tickets for the awards ceremony are on sale now and can be purchased here
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