Shropshire Star Tourism & Leisure Awards - Last chance for nominations
Did you go anywhere special over the bank holiday? The closing date for entries to the first-ever Shropshire Star Tourism & Leisure Awards is now just 48 hours away. Have you put forward a nomination yet?
Whether you work in the tourist industry, own or operate one of the county's many visitor attractions, or are simply a paying customer keen to recognise quality customer service, we want you to help us write the roll of honour in this inaugural competition.
The awards are being run in association with Telford College and supported by Shropshire Council, Telford & Wrekin Council, Global Freight, Lilleshall National Sports & Conferencing Centre and Ironbridge Gorge Museums.
Find out how to nominate an entry for the awards here
They are split into two sections: one for Tourism, and the other for Leisure. For the Tourism section, which rewards hotels, B&Bs, self catering, business tourism, events, attractions and those promoting the 'taste of Shropshire', businesses can enter themselves, and readers can also nominate.
For categories in the Leisure section, including pub grub, posh nosh, days out, nights out, and best pubs, cafes or tearooms, readers can send in their suggestions which will be judged and the finalists going to the public vote.
In both sections, three finalists will be selected for each category by a panel of judges, with the winners being announced at an awards event, at Enginuity in the Ironbridge Gorge, on November 18. James Berresford, chief executive of VisitEngland, is backing the Shropshire Star's awards, and it is hoped that the top performers in the Tourism section will progress through the regional VisitEngland awards, and possibly towards national recognition.
He said: "I always consider Shropshire to be a bit of an unrealised opportunity. Hopefully these Shropshire Star awards will give the county a chance to showcase what it has to offer on a national stage.
"Tourism is one of the few growth industries in this country, so I am delighted that the newspaper, and the county, have taken the bull by the horns. These local awards should, if successful, feed into the national awards. There is wonderful history and heritage in Shropshire, wonderful countryside, wonderful attractions, and beautiful hotels and restaurants."
