THE SHORTLIST for Coventry and Warwickshire’s best pubs, restaurants, venues and attractions includes everything from independent venues through to international arenas.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards will see 14 awards handed out at Coombe Abbey Hotel on Thursday September 21.
The event is organised by Touch FM and Rugby FM, and supported by Coventry City of Culture Trust – the organisation behind Coventry’s bid to be UK City of Culture – Coventry City Council, Warwickshire County Council, Shakespeare’s England and the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce.
Spokeswoman Jo Billings said: “What we love about the Coventry and Warwickshire Tourism and Culture Awards is the fact that it attracts some of the biggest names in our region to apply alongside smaller, independent operators – it’s a true celebration of the wonderful cross section of businesses we have in this sector.
“Visitors from all over the world flock to our region and tourism is a key sector, contributing to the area’s local economic growth with a turnover in excess of £1 billion each year.
“Forecasts predict continued annual growth in the coming years – especially with Coventry bidding to be UK City of Culture in 2021 – and this is a great chance to shine a spotlight on all of the great assets we have here.”
The nominations
Business Tourism Award – Conference Coventry and Warwickshire; Shakespeare’s England; Warwick Conferences; Woodside
Small Hotel/B&B/Inn Accommodation – Avonlea; Hilltop Hideaways Ltd; Twelthnight Guesthouse; One Abbey lane
Best Hotel – Chesford Grange Hotel; Coombe Abbey Hotel; The Episode Hotel; Mallory Court Country House Hotel & Spa
Village Hotel Club, Coventry
Best Pub – The Boat Inn; The Folly Inn; The Hatton Arms; Twisted Barrel
Best Restaurant – The Fourteas; Manor Farm Shop & Farmhouse Kitchen; Oscars French Bistro; Turmeric Gold
Best Venue Live Music/Arts/Theatre – The Ricoh Arena; Stratford Artshouse; The Tin; Theatre Absolute; Warwick Arts Centre
The Culture Award – Coventry Priory Visitors Centre; Heritage & Culture Warwickshire; Motionhouse; Warwick Arts centre
Cultural Education – Ash Stage Productions; Highly Sprung; In2Cultures; Warwick Arts Centre;
Artisan Award – Caking & Baking; Swirls; Twisted Barrel Ale; Wilde Nuts Ltd
History & Heritage Award – The Royal Shakespeare Company; Shakespeare’s New Place; Shakespeare’s Schoolroom & Guildhall; World Rugby Hall of Fame
Kids & Families Award – The MAD Museum; Mr Karting; Rugby Art Gallery&Museum
Customer Care / Team Award – Aubrey Allen; Bubble Boba; The Hatton Arms; Mr Karting; Swirls
Visitor Attraction – Compton Verney Art Gallery & Park; FarGo Village; The MAD Museum; Shakespeare’s Schoolroom and Guildhall
Tourism Event – OVO Energy Women’s Cycle Tour (Warwickshire County Council & University of Warwick in partnership); Coventry Transport Museum; Godiva Festival; Leamington Art in the Park Festival