Shortlist for Wrexham County tourism awards 2018 revealed

The shortlist for the 2018 Wrexham County tourism awards has been revealed and organisers, the This Is Wrexham Tourism Partnership who represent the local tourism industry, are confident of another successful evening to celebrate an expected year of further tourism growth.

It’s been well documented over the last year that since 2010, tourism in the County Borough has grown by 37%, with £115m now being brought into the County by visitors annually. Data for 2017 (based off information supplied by local tourism businesses) released next month is widely expected to show a further growth, with accommodation providers generally having 80% occupancy each week, a thriving dining scene across the County getting more popular and more and more events bringing visitors into the area.

Chair of the This Is Wrexham Partnership, Sam Regan said: “These annual awards are a celebration of the businesses and individuals who really make a difference to the tourism scene in Wrexham County. Not only do we celebrate their achievements, but we use the awards to shout about how integral the Wrexham County tourism offer is as part of the Welsh Tourism landscape. This year, we’re also delighted to be working with Andy Woods and Judith Hudson at Coleg Cambria to stage the awards, alongside local firm, Business AV in Llay.”

Destination Manager at Wrexham County Borough Council, Joe Bickerton added: “This is the fourth year that we’ve had these awards and it’s been tremendous to see existing tourism businesses invest in developing their offer and entrepreneurs come to the table with quality and innovation at the forefront of their thinking. Whilst we’ve been working with the Tourism Partnership to develop a new three-year tourism action plan (due out May 2018), it’s the staff on the frontline that we rely on to give a great first impression of the County and they’re consistently doing that.

“From our taxi drivers, to our receptionists, to our bartenders, every role in this industry is vital – and over the next three years, we’re developing plans with partners across North Wales to retain the talent in this industry so that the regions tourism scene continues to thrive.”

Taking place on Thursday 12th April at 7.00pm, the awards are being run in conjunction with Coleg Cambria at their Yale site in Wrexham, with the catering being provided by the Hafod Restaurant team – which enables students to develop their skills in catering & hospitality.

Jim Jones, MD at North Wales Tourism will deliver an after dinner speech and the evening will be hosted by Heart Radio’s Oli Kemp.

Tickets for the three course dinner and awards ceremony are now on-sale priced at £55 per person, with tables of ten available for £500. To order tickets you can visit www.thisiswrexham.co.uk/awards

Full 2018 Award Shortlist

BEST SMALL ACCOMMODATION PROVIDER
• The Lemon Tree, Wrexham
• The Hand at Llanarmon
• Worthenbury Manor
• Willington Lodge

BEST LARGE ACCOMMODATION PROVIDER

• The Ramada Plaza Hotel
• The Holt Lodge Hotel
• The Premier Inn, Wrexham Town Centre
• Llyndir Hall Hotel
• The Mulberry Inn, Llwynmawr

BEST SELF CATERING PROVIDER

• The Plassey Holiday Park
• Clays Touring Park
• Lady Willington Touring Site
• Emral Gardens Caravan Park

BEST TOURISM ATTRACTION

• Techniquest Glyndwr
• Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (Trevor Basin)
• Chirk Castle
• Erddig Hall & Gardens
• St Giles Parish Church
• Wrexham Museum
• Bangor on Dee Racecourse
• Commonwood Fishery

BEST RESTAURANT

• The Hand at Llanarmon
• The Lemon Tree, Wrexham
• The Machine House, Rossett
• The Boat, Erbistock
• Hafod Restaurant, Coleg Cambria

BEST CAFE / COFFEE SHOP

• King Street Coffee Company
• The Courtyard Cafe, Wrexham Museum
• Lot 11 cafe & hideaway
• Starbucks, Eagles Meadow
• Caffi Wylfa, Chirk

BEST PUB / WINE BAR

• The Alyn, Rossett
• The Royal Oak, Bangor on Dee
• The Bank Wine Bar, Wrexham
• The Fat Boar, Wrexham
• The Bridge End Inn, Ruabon
• The Nags Head, Lavister
• The Tyn Y Capel, Minera

BEST USE OF LOCAL PRODUCE

• Wrexham Tourist Information Centre
• Lot 11 cafe & hideaway
• The Lemon Tree, Wrexham
• The Royal Oak, Bangor on Dee
• Lewis’ Farm Shop Eyton

BEST USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

• Techniquest Glyndwr
• Bangor on Dee Racecourse
• King Street Coffee Company
• Rock the Park, Wrexham (event)
• The Fat Boar, Wrexham
• Lot 11 cafe & hideaway
• The Holt Lodge Hotel

RISING STAR IN LOCAL TOURISM AWARD

• Katie Pridding – The Royal Oak, Bangor on Dee
• Aaron Jones – the Buck House Hotel
• Sarah Baker – Lot 11 cafe & hideaway
• Suzie Simon – Holt Lodge Hotel
• Caitlin McHugh – Trevor Basin Visitor Centre
• Rebecca – The Alyn, Rossett

AWARD FOR THE BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (Individuals only)

• Lee Williams – Royal Oak, Bangor on Dee
• Peta Hearn – Trevor Basin Visitor Centre
• James Day – The Bank Wine Bar, Wrexham
• Matthew Scott – The Bank Wine Bar, Wrexham
• Mark Finlay – The Fat Boar Wrexham
• Natalie Jones – Apollo Taxis, Wrexham

BEST SMALL EVENT (< 2,000 attendees)

• The Community Bonfire – Buck House Hotel
•The Drive In Cinemas – Wrexham CBC Events Team
• Wrexham Street Festival
• Charity Duck Race – Royal Oak, Bangor on Dee
• Ladies Midnight Walk – Nightingale House Hospice

BEST LARGE EVENT (> 2,000 attendees)

• Rock the Park, Wrexham
• The Wrexham Victorian Christmas Market
• Underneath the Arches at Pontcysyllte
• FOCUS Wales 2017
• Charity Bonfire & Fireworks – Holt Lodge Hotel