BUSINESSES who helped Warrington win a special award at the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards have been urged to bring more glory to the town by shouting about their own personal success stories and entering this year’s event.
Nominations are now open for the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards 2023/4 which, split into 16 categories, recognise individual and collective excellence and outstanding achievement in the region’s visitor economy and give accommodation providers, eateries and much-loved attractions the chance to show why they are a must-visit.
The awards show just why the region’s tourism sector is among the nation’s finest and visitor economy businesses entering also have the chance to enter the Visit England awards and showcase themselves on a national stage.
In March at a glittering ceremony attended by 250 guests at Warrington’s Halliwell Jones Stadium, the whole town of Warrington was given a Special Recognition Award– something kept under wraps until the night itself.
The award was for its contribution and commitment to inclusion with examples cited by judges ranging from The Foodbank Weekends at Gulliver’s World to Warrington Disability Partnership’s annual Disability Awareness Day ‘DAD’ at Walton Hall Park.
Warrington Wolves’ participation in the Physical Disability Rugby League, the diverse work of LiveWire which includes award-winning dementia-friendly buildings and services, a menopause awareness programme and walking football; and The Run Through Foundation’s Warrington Running Festival were among other examples cited.
Judges said it was fitting the town received a special recognition award for “its unflinching commitment to promoting inclusivity in its innovative initiatives and events programmes.”
And encouraging businesses to fly the flag for Warrington and enter the 2023/4 awards, Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for leisure and community, Cllr Tony Higgins, said: “For Warrington to be recognised through this award for its commitment to inclusion was a fantastic honour.
“It demonstrated regional acknowledgement of the tireless work carried out by so many people – in particular our charity and voluntary partners – to champion inclusivity in everything we do.”
He added: “Winning this award has brought us real benefits, showcasing Warrington as a diverse, welcoming and inclusive town and celebrating the work that goes on, day-in and day-out, to make Warrington a place where everyone matters.
“To be recognised in this way has certainly given us even more inspiration to continue working with our diverse communities to embed inclusivity across our leisure, tourism and cultural offer.”
Nominations close on 1 September and finalists will be announced on October 2, 2023 before the ceremony is held at a Cheshire venue on March 21,2024.
To enter the awards, go to the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards 2023/24 website HERE.
A Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards Application Workshop offering hints and tips on what to include in entries is being held online between 10-11am on Thursday, July 13 and anyone wishing to attend should register HERE.
Trevor Brocklebank, Chair of Marketing Cheshire and Deputy Chair of Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Every year the quality of entries is magnificent.
“We know the visitor economy contributes greatly to the region’s prosperity and I can look forward to seeing nominations for individuals and organisations that continue to make Cheshire and Warrington a truly wonderful place to live and visit.”
