We are delighted to share that three Northumberland businesses have been recognised on the national stage as finalists in the prestigious VisitEngland Awards for Excellence.
Ad Gefrin, the Anglo-Saxon museum and whisky distillery in Wooler, has been shortlisted for Small Visitor Attraction of the Year. The Tempus at Charlton Hall is in the running for Small Hotel of the Year, while The Kirkstyle Inn & Sportsman’s Rest in Slaggyford has been named a finalist for Pub of the Year.
They are joined by other North East finalists from the regional heats, which took place during English Tourism Week. These include Blackfriars in Newcastle, shortlisted for the Taste of England Award, and The Catalyst, also in Newcastle, which is competing for Business Events Venue of the Year.
The VisitEngland Awards for Excellence have been celebrating the very best of the country’s tourism industry for more than 35 years. The awards recognise quality, innovation and outstanding customer service across a wide range of categories. This year’s 53 finalists represent the highest standards in England’s visitor economy, having been selected through a rigorous judging process by industry experts.
To be shortlisted at a national level is a fantastic achievement, with finalists drawn from hundreds of winners in regional competitions across the country.
Winners will be announced on 3 June at a black tie ceremony at Aerospace Bristol, held beneath the iconic Concorde Alpha Foxtrot.
Andrew Fox, Chair of Visit Northumberland said
"We're thrilled to have the very best of Northumberland represented by our partner businesses in these national awards and to have not one but three Northumberland businesses shortlisted by Visit England is a huge achievement. We fully support The Tempus, Ad Gefrin and the Kirkstyle Inn and Sportsman’s Rest and the other North East representatives in anticipation of the awards ceremony in June."
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:
“These awards honour the very best businesses and individuals in tourism, who are the driving force in an industry that delivers growth to local economies across England. I thank them for their dedicated service, congratulate them on achieving finalist status and wish them every success.”
