The winners will be announced live at a glittering black-tie awards ceremony hosted by BBC Midlands Today’s Rebecca Wood, on Thursday 14 March 2024, at Aspects at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Many of the ‘Gold’ winners will progress to represent Staffordshire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2024.

Philip White, Cabinet Member with responsibility for tourism at Staffordshire County Council said: “The Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism and Good Food Awards are all about celebrating our amazing hospitality and tourism businesses and the people working in them.

“The competition is a great way of promoting the diverse range of providers, attractions and businesses that continue to deliver outstanding customer experiences.

“The awards ceremony itself is also a brilliant event that I’m looking forward to.  It gives us a great opportunity to bring everyone together to celebrate.  I’d like to congratulate all those businesses shortlisted in this year’s awards and wish them the best of luck in the final.”

Martin Tideswell, Director of Communities and Commercial Engagement at Staffordshire University, said: “We are delighted to support the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership by sponsoring the Enjoy Staffordshire Tourism and Good Food Awards in this their 10th anniversary year.

“These awards are now hailed as the biggest Shire competition in England – a testament to the outstanding businesses who continue to put Staffordshire on the map. As well as being a wonderful place to live, work, study and visit, Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is recognised as a crucible of creators, entrepreneurs and innovators – something that Staffordshire University is proud to support.”

For more information, visit www.enjoystaffordshire.com/awards or contact Richard Swancott at Enjoy Staffordshire, on 01785 277986 or info@enjoystaffordshire.com

Finalists:

Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award, sponsored by We Are Staffordshire:
Alton Towers Resort
The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
National Memorial Arboretum

Business Events Venue of the Year:
Aston Marina, Stone
The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Keele University Events & Conferencing

Casual Dining Restaurant of the Year:
Duck Goose, Leek
The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer
Thyme Kitchen, Lichfield

Ethical, Responsible & Sustainable Tourism Award, sponsored by Staffordshire University:
Alton Towers Resort
The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Eagle House, Eccleshall
Hoar Cross Hall
National Memorial Arboretum
The Trentham Estate

Experience of the Year, sponsored by Staffordshire University:
Alpaca Trekking, Wetley Moor Alpacas, near Stoke-on-Trent
Gin Still Experience, Nelson’s Distillery & School, near Uttoxeter
Photography Workshop, Chappers Photography, Abbots Bromley
Throw A Pot Experience, LoveClay Studio, Stoke-on-Trent

Food & Drink Retailer or Farm Shop of the Year:
Canalside Farm Shop, Great Haywood near Stafford
Denstone Hall Farm Shop, Denstone near Uttoxeter
The Titanic Brewery Shop, Stoke-on-Trent

Independent Restaurant of the Year:
Dovecliff Hall Hotel, near Burton upon Trent
FEASTED, Stoke-on-Trent
The Flintlock at Cheddleton, near Leek
Granary Restaurant at Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard
Hoar Cross Hall
Little Seeds, Stone

Large Hotel of the Year, sponsored by Service Science
CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Resort
Doubletree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent
Drayton Manor Hotel, Drayton Manor Resort
Hoar Cross Hall, near Burton upon Trent

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year, sponsored by Pear OOH
Alton Towers Resort
Drayton Manor Resort
Emma Bridgewater Factory
National Memorial Arboretum
The Trentham Estate
World of Wedgwood

New Tourism Business of the Year, sponsored by Staffordshire County Council:
The Boat House Kitchen & Bakery by Pom’s, Barton Marina
Bobobo, Stafford
The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer
The Play Barn @ Round Meadows Farm, Wetley Rocks

Pub of the Year:
The Bank House, Hixon, near Stafford
Black Lion Inn, Butterton, near Leek
The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone
The Star at Cotton, near Cheadle

Rising Star, sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent College:
Cameron Sutton – World of Wedgwood
Harvey Tweats – The Trentham Estate
Lucy Fletcher – Duck Goose, Leek
Paige Burnham – Doubletree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year:
The Apartment, Eagle House, Eccleshall
Ford Wetley Cottage, near Leek
Weston Park Holiday Cottages, Weston-under-Lizard

Small Hotel of the Year:
Dovecliff Hall Hotel, near Burton upon Trent
The Upper House Hotel, Barlaston
Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year, sponsored by R H Advertising:
The Brampton Museum, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Gladstone Pottery Museum, Stoke-on-Trent
Middleport Pottery, Stoke-on-Trent
Tamworth Castle, Tamworth

Tea Room & Coffee Shop of the Year:
Canalside Farm Café, Great Haywood near Stafford
Denstone Hall Farm Café, Denstone near Uttoxeter
Pom’s Kitchen & Deli, Lichfield
Ramblers Retreat Country Tea Room, Alton
World of Wedgwood Tea Room, Stoke-on-Trent

Team of the Year, sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent City Council:
Forestry England – Forestry Recreation Team, Cannock Chase Forest
The Trentham Estate – Events & Operations Team
Wetley Moor Alpacas – Walk Leaders

Unsung Hero, sponsored by Newcastle & Stafford Colleges Group:
Lea Sherratt – Dovecliff Hall Hotel, near Burton upon Trent
Mick Thomas – Alton Towers Resort
Stephen Wood – The Trentham Estate