Inflation may have dampened enthusiasm for staycations and dining-out, but the county’s leisure and tourism businesses are still doing great work that’s deserving of more recognition, which is exactly what they can expect with a win in this year’s Be Inspired Business Awards, the BIBAs.
Lancashire has been famous as a tourist destination since Blackpool and Morecambe developed into seaside resorts.
Since then, its appeal has broadened, and it’s now also known for its fabulous collection of guest houses, charming B&Bs, glamping sites, spectacular hotels, and eateries set in amazing countryside, making the county a firm favourite with foodies everywhere. It’s even featured in an episode of the Hairy Bikers, with Si and Dave visiting a local gin distillery and one of the Ribble Valley’s best known pubs in the Forest of Bowland.
In 2021, the latest year for which reliable figures are available, Lancashre’s visitor economy was worth more than £3 billion.
Inflationary pressures that have hit pockets everywhere may well have forced a decline in trade in the second half of 2022 and so far this year, but businesses in this sector have shown that they’re resilient and adaptive – two qualities that judges in the BIBAs 2023 will be looking for.
Smooth Radio is again sponsoring the Leisure and Tourism category in this year’s competition. It said: ”Smooth Radio North West is very proud of its partnership with the BIBAs, especially the sponsorship of the Leisure and Tourism category. We have been the North West’s number one commercial radio station for almost exactly fifteen years and we see it as our responsibility and privilege to champion the great attractions and services we have in the region. Every year we see the great work happening in Lancashire and this is testament to the hard work that goes into creating spectacular attractions and lasting memories for visitors.”
The North & Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce that organisers the BIBAs is also on the lookout for firms across all sectors that have between 51 and 250 employees and can demonstrate growth, job creation, robust financials, exceptional customer service, innovation and excellent employment practices to enter the Medium Business of the Year award.
It’s being sponsored by Catax for the first time, a firm that helps businesses uncover hidden value through Capital Allowances, R&D, and Patent Box tax relief.
Group Strategic Partnerships Director, Dawn Coker,said: “We’re delighted to be backing the BIBAs this year and are expecting competition in this category to be tough. No business makes it to this size without doing lots of things right, and so it will be really hard to separate them. I’m looking forward to seeing what it is they’re doing that gives one of them the edge