Three awards for Port Sunlight at 2009 Wirral Tourism Awards

Nov 11 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

THE quality and professionalism of Wirral’s tourism industry was celebrated at last week’s Wirral Tourism Awards for Excellence.

Port Sunlight fared particularly well with the village scooping two awards – Tourism and Heritage Volunteer of the Year for Eleanor Lyons from Port Sunlight Museum and the Wirral Tourism Ambassador Award for Lionel Bolland of Port Sunlight Village Trust.

Sarah Lynch of the Lady Lever Art Gallery triumphed in the Unseen Hero category.

There were also awards for Wirral’s food and drink industry, with Most Professional Waiting On Team going to the Portrait House restaurant in Hoylake and Inglewood Manor’s kitchen winning Team of the Year.

Over 250 tourism professionals attended the awards on Wednesday at Thornton Hall Hotel.

Opening the awards, Mayor of Wirral Andrew Hodson said: “Tourism through Wirral continues to be thrive and help establish Wirral as the leisure peninsula.

“Thanks to all the staff who are employed within those businesses. This is the special night when we say a big thank you for all your efforts.

“Wirral is a fantastic place, not only to live but also to visit.

“It’s a place that people tend to drive to and not through.”

Visitor attractions also fared well this year, with Church Farm winning the Family Friendly Team award.

Rob Smith of Wirral Council’s Arts and Museums Service, was named Most Supportive Manager/Supervisor.

This year’s awards were sponsored by Thornton Hall Hotel, Ness Gardens, Merseytravek, the Grange & Pyramids, Egerton House, Let’s Go!, Liverpool Community College, Wirral Met, The Mersey Partnership, Scientiam, Fishlocks, Chair Style and Gerrard Seel.

l Wirral Chefs Shine 2009 – Page 32.