Beatles attractions win big at Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards

Beatles attractions took centre stage last night at the prestigious Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards.

In a night of double winners, The Beatles Story won both Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and International Tourism Award, while the International Beatleweek Festival won Event/Festival of the Year.

Strawberry Field was recognised for both its environmental and social impact with the Regenerative Tourism Award, and again for its visitor welcome as Small Visitor Attraction of the Year.

The ceremony, held at Liverpool Cathedral and hosted by BBC Radio Merseyside presenter, Kevin Duala, delivered one of its most memorable moments when The Municipal Hotel & Spa – MGallery Liverpool was named Large Hotel of the Year on the same night that one of its own team members, Abigail Royle, won Tourism Young Person of the Year.

Abigail’s win, alongside the hotel’s major accolade, highlights a five-star venue excelling not only in standards of service but also in supporting and developing the next generation of hospitality professionals in the region.

Southport also enjoyed a highly successful evening, with two of its standout venues claiming top awards. The Bold Hotel was named Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year, while Sunnyside Guest House secured Independent Tourism Business of the Year. Their achievements reflect the town’s growing reputation for delivering high‑quality accommodation, warm welcomes and exceptional service.

This year’s Event/Festival of the Year category placed the public at the heart of the voting process. The International Beatleweek Festival took the accolade after securing strong public backing and impressing the judging panel – an outcome that showcases the region’s deep love of music, culture and major events.

Hot Water Comedy Club earned the title of Entertainment Venue of the Year, also rising to the top in a competitive category.

Meanwhile, Daffodil, winner of New Tourism Business of the Year, continued to impress with its fast‑growing profile and contribution to the region’s independent scene.

Together, these achievements demonstrate a sector delivering consistency, innovation and a world‑class visitor experience.

The event also honoured the individuals, businesses and organisations whose work has welcomed thousands of visitors over the past year. The evening concluded with two honorary recognitions: the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award, presented to Angie Redhead for her work on developing the cruise offering, and the Lifetime Achievement Award, awarded to Lynn Saunders for delivering exceptional work on attracting film opportunities, both acknowledged for their long‑standing service and influence on the visitor economy.

Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director, Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership, said:

“This year’s winners highlight the exceptional talent and commitment powering our visitor economy, creating the people‑centred experiences that make our region stand out. Their work strengthens a world‑class destination that drives economic growth, supports jobs and keeps the Liverpool City Region thriving.”

Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company and headline sponsor, said:

“We are delighted to be able to offer our continued support for the annual awards, showcasing the very best in our world-famous tourism industry. We work tirelessly to support the industry, and we have invested significantly over the past two years, particularly through the Accommodation BID, on attracting more spectacular events to Liverpool to boost the hospitality sector. This is an evening that always showcases the very best of Liverpool, from our embrace of innovation to our warm welcome to all visitors. This has been such a special year for an industry that is such a vital part of our visitor economy.”

The headline sponsor was Liverpool BID with Associate sponsors Liverpool ONE and Liverpool Football Club.

Category sponsors were ACC Liverpool, B&L Creative, BDO LLP, City of Liverpool College, Everton Football Club, The Guide Liverpool, Kimpton, Knowsley Safari, Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool John Lennon Airport, London Northwestern Railway, Merseyrail, MSP Global, National Museums Liverpool, PIB Insurance, Ticket Quarter, Virgin Experience Days and Wild Thang.

The awards were delivered by Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership and the Combined Authority and supported by Cool Breeze Events, Horseradish Caterers, The Metro, Red Events and Hilton Liverpool with the charity partner Local Solutions My Time.

LCR Tourism Awards 2025 – Winners

Unsung Hero Award

Sponsored by Liverpool ONE

WINNER: Janet McMahon, Crowne Plaza Liverpool

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Peter Colyer, Independent Tour Guide

Tourism Young Person of the Year

Sponsored by City of Liverpool College and MSP Global

WINNER: Abigail Royle, The Municipal Hotel & Spa – MGallery Liverpool

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Luca Toner, Receptionist, Titanic Hotel Liverpool

Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year

Sponsored by Liverpool Cathedral

WINNER: The Bold Hotel Southport

Independent Tourism Business of the Year

Sponsored by National Museums Liverpool

WINNER: Sunnyside Guest House Southport

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Dale Liverpool Tours

Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year

Sponsored by Knowsley Safari

WINNER: Premier Suites Liverpool

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Citadines City Centre Liverpool

Entertainment Venue of the Year

Sponsored by Everton Football Club

WINNER: Hot Water Comedy Club

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse

Taste of Liverpool City Region Award – Café of the Year

Sponsored by B&L Creative

WINNER: The Watering Can

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Moose

Regenerative Tourism Award

Sponsored by Kimpton Ltd

WINNER: Strawberry Field

Business Events Venue of the Year

Sponsored by London Northwestern Railway

WINNER: Liverpool City Halls – St Georges Hall

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Museum of Liverpool

Event / Festival of the Year

Sponsored by The Guide Liverpool

WINNER: International Beatleweek Festival

Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award

Sponsored by ACC Liverpool

WINNER: Eureka! Science + Discovery

Pub of the Year

Sponsored by Wild Thang

WINNER: Arts Bar Hope Street

New Tourism Business of the Year

Sponsored by BDO LLP

WINNER: Daffodil

HIGHLY COMMENDED: The Halyard Liverpool & The Holiday Inn Express Liverpool Central

Small Visitor Attraction of the Year

Sponsored by Ticket Quarter

WINNER: Strawberry Field

Large Visitor Attraction of the Year

Sponsored by Virgin Experience Days

WINNER: The Beatles Story

Experience of the Year

Sponsored by Merseyrail

WINNER: Liverpool Food Tours

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Mersey Tunnel Tours

Taste of Liverpool City Region Award – Restaurant of the Year

Sponsored by PIB Insurance

WINNER: Hawksmoor Liverpool

HIGHLY COMMENDED: Nord

International Tourism Award

Sponsored by Liverpool John Lennon Airport

WINNER: The Beatles Story

Large Hotel of the Year

Sponsored by Liverpool Business Improvement District

WINNER: The Municipal Hotel and Spa, MGallery Liverpool

Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award

Presented by Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership

WINNER: Angie Redhead

Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented by Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership

WINNER: Lynn Saunders