Wirral tourism stars honoured at annual Wirral Tourism Awards

Apr 4 2012 By Lorna Hughes

WIRRAL’S tourism stars were honoured at a glittering awards ceremony.

Over 250 tourism professionals – from chefs to bar staff to hotel managers – gathered at the Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton last night (Tuesday) for the prestigious Wirral Tourism Awards.

Big winners on the night included Lorna Tyson who scooped the prestigious Wirral Tourism Ambassador Award as well as Accommodation of the Year for Mere Brook House, the five star bed and breakfast she runs in Thornton Hough.

Inglewood Manor Hotel won the Team of the Year award and Port Sunlight Village Festival was named Event of the Year.

Dominic Pospisil, who won our 2011 Wirral Chef of the Year award last October, was also honoured at the awards.

The annual event aims to recognise the quality, achievements and hard work of the individuals behind the success of Wirral’s tourism scene. Kevin Reid, chair of the Wirral Tourism Business Network said: "I’d like to congratulate all of the fantastic tourism businesses and their dedicated staff who have been nominated for this year’s Wirral Tourism Awards.

"The quality and number of nominations received shows the strength and depth of Wirral’s tourism offer.

"Indeed, since the Wirral Tourism Business Network was formed, tourism has grown in Wirral by 15% and is now worth over £260m to the local economy.

"Tourism businesses and their staff can be a great influencer of public opinion and I am confident that visitors to Wirral are gaining the very best impression of the borough

"Each award category has been keenly contested and the winners can be rightly proud of their awards."

WIRRAL TOURISM AWARDS WINNERS

ACCOMMODATION OF THE YEAR: Mere Brook House

TEAM OF THE YEAR: Inglewood Manor Hotel

MOST SUPPORTIVE SUPERVISOR OR MANAGER: Sandra Penketh – Lady Lever Art Gallery

FAMILY FRIENDLY BUSINESS: The Spotty Blue Teapot Ltd, Hoylake

AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CUSTOMER CARE: John Brown – Ness Gardens

WIRRAL EVENT OF THE YEAR: Port Sunlight Village Festival

MOST PROFESSIONAL WAITING ON TEAM: Peninsula Dining Room, New Brighton

WIRRAL CHEF OF THE YEAR: Dominic Pospisil

WIRRAL TASTE AWARD: Zuger’s Tea Rooms/Gorge’Us (joint winners)

UNSEEN HERO OR VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR: One Borough Group Volunteers – Wirral Transport Museum

ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR: Church Farm

OUTSTANDING YOUNG PERSON OF THE YEAR: David Tacy – Liver View Hotel

MOST PROFESSIONAL BAR TEAM: Wro Bar

WIRRAL TOURISM AMBASSADOR: Lorna Tyson – Mere Brook House