Gastro pub named in national awards final

The Cartford Inn which has been nominated for a national award

The Cartford Inn in Little Eccleston is one of four county representatives in the Visit England Awards for Excellence 2016.

They will be up against the cream of English hospitality and visitor sector in the final which will be held at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on March 8.

The Cartford Inn won the Tourism Pub Award in the Lancashire Tourism Awards in November which led to its inclusion in the national final.

The Gastro pub owned by Patrick and Julie Beaume also picked up an award in the Best Freehouse category at the Great British Pub Awards in 2014 as well as being rated as one of the best 30 places to work in the hospitality industry in the 2014 Catey awards.

The Lancashire finalists also include Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe, in the Sustainable Tourism category; La Locanda, Gisburn in the Taste of England category and Morecambe Bay Cycleway, in the Tourism Experience Category.

Ruth Connor, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, said: “It’s a proud day for Lancashire tourism as we hear that four of our Lancashire Tourism Award winners will be returning to Winter Gardens Blackpool, this time as finalists in the national Visit England Awards for Excellence.

“Lancashire is renowned for authentic, world class food and drink so, we’re thrilled to see La Locanda and The Cartford Inn going forward in the Taste of England and Tourism Pub categories.

“Our love of the great outdoors and respect for the environment will also be superbly represented by the Morecambe Bay Cycle Way and Browsholme Hall, finalists in the Tourism Experience and Sustainable Tourism categories.

“Lancashire leads the way with more finalists than any other North West destination, our heartfelt congratulations to each of them and their teams for achieving the highest level of industry recognition, and for continuing to make Lancashire the place where life feels good.”

Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain and VisitEngland, said: “We received over 400 truly impressive applications this year and there’s absolutely no doubt those shortlisted are a representatives of the best in the industry.”