LOCAL businesses have been named as finalists in the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards.
Fifty entries have reached this stage, with the winners announced at a ceremony on 19th March.
Among those hoping for success will be The National Memorial Arboretum which is up for the Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award and Large Visitor Attraction of the Year.
Mangia Mangia in Lichfield city centre is in the running for Food and Drink Retailer of the Year – and it could be double success if Isabella Ranwell claims the Rising Star honour.
Elsewhere, the Trooper at Wall could land the Pub of the Year crown and Poms Lichfield or Thyme Kitchen are hoping to scoop the Casual Dining accolade.
Larder Brasserie is up for Restaurant of the Year, while Poms Barton Marina could be named Tea Room or Coffee Shop of the Year.
Mark Wisdom, from Poms Lichfield, is also in the running to take the Unsung Hero Award.
Cllr Hayley Coles, cabinet member for communities and culture at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“It’s fantastic to see such an outstanding range of attractions, venues and businesses shortlisted for this year’s final in March and I’m incredibly proud to see so many of them representing Staffordshire.
“Our visitor economy continues to go from strength to strength, up by 35% since before the pandemic, which is a remarkable achievement. This growth is driven by the incredible dedication of our tourism sector, whose commitment to delivering high‑quality customer experiences truly sets Staffordshire apart.
“These businesses are not only jewels in our county’s crown, they are the backbone of Staffordshire’s economy, supporting jobs, strengthening our communities and showcasing everything that makes our county so special.
“I wish all our finalists the very best of luck at the awards.”
A number of winners will go on to represent Staffordshire at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June.
The full 2026 finalists are:
Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award:
- Alton Towers Resort
- National Memorial Arboretum
- Trentham Estate
Business Events Venue of the Year:
- Beaconside Conferencing & Events centre
- Bet 365 Stadium, Stoke City FC
- Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat
- Hilton, St George’s Park
- Uttoxeter Racecourse
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park of the Year, sponsored by Trentham Estate:
- Park Hill Farm, Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Quarry Walk Park, Staffordshire Moorlands
Experience of the Year:
- Distillery Tour and Tasting Experience, SIXTOWNS by Bros Distillery
- Introduction to Throwing, World of Wedgwood
- Moddershall Luxe Spa Stay, Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat
- Polar Bear Experience, Peak Wildlife Park
- Rural Retreat Two Night Spa Stay, Hoar Cross Hall
Food and Drink Retailer/Farm Shop:
- Denstone Hall Farm Shop, near Uttoxeter
- Mangia Mangia Deli, Lichfield
- Titanic Brewery
International Tourism Award:
- Courtyard by Marriott Hotel, Keele
- McArthur Glen Designer Shopping Outlet, West Midlands
- World of Wedgwood
Large Hotel of the Year:
- CBeebies Land Hotel, Alton Towers Resort
- Courtyard by Marriott, Keele
- Doubletree by Hilton, Stoke-on-Trent
- Hoar Cross Hall, near Burton upon Trent
- The Tawny Hotel, near Leek
Large Visitor Attraction of the Year:
- Alton Towers Resort
- National Memorial Arboretum
- Peak Wildlife Park
- The Trentham Estate
- World of Wedgwood
New Tourism Business of the Year:
- Desire Cocktail Bar, Stoke-on-Trent
- Hockerhill Playbarn, South Staffordshire
- Philip Astley Project CIC, Newcastle-under-Lyme
- Whitmore Lakes, Newcastle-under-Lyme
Pub of the Year:
- Fitzherbert Arms, Swynnerton
- The Littleton Arms, Penkridge
- The Knot Inn, Rushton Spencer
- The Little George, Eccleshall
- The Trooper at Wall
Regenerative Tourism Award:
- Eagle House, Eccleshall
- Peak Wildlife Park, Staffordshire Moorlands
- The Brampton Museum
Rising Star:
- Isabella Ranwell, Mangia Mangia Deli, Lichfield
- Kimberleigh Cyster, National Memorial Arboretum
- Poppy Gascoine, Desire Cocktail Bar, Stoke-on-Trent
- Slava Marynchenko, NSCG College and Lowe’s on Carter Street
Self Catering Accommodation of the Year:
- ABC Boat Hire, Kings Orchard Marina, Lichfield
- Dalraddy Cottage, Cannock Chase
- Eagle House Apartment, Eccleshall
- Ford Wetley Cottage, Staffordshire Moorlands
Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year:
- Eagle House, Eccleshall
- Fitzherbert Farmhouse, Swynnerton
- Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat
- The Black Lion Inn, Butterton, Near Leek
- The Little George, Eccleshall
- The Upper House Hotel, Barlaston
- Walnut House at The Duncombe Arms, Ellastone
Small Visitor Attraction of the Year:
- Emma Bridgewater
- Middleport Pottery
- The Brampton Museum
- WILD Zoological Park
Taste of England – Casual Dining Award:
- Poms Lichfield
- The Black Lion Inn, Butterton
- The Royal Oak, Rushton Spencer
- The Star at Cotton, near Cheadle
- Thyme Kitchen, Lichfield
Taste of England – Restaurant of the Year
- Larder Brasserie, Lichfield
- Lowe’s on Carter Street, Uttoxeter
- Lunar Restaurant, Barlaston
- The Plumicorn at the Tawny, near Leek
Taste of England – Tea Room and Coffee Shop of the Year:
- Denstone Hall Farm Café
- Poms Barton Marina
- The Packing House Café, Middleport Pottery
- World of Wedgwood Tea Room
Team of the Year:
- Moddershall Oaks Country Spa Retreat
- Peak Wildlife Park
- Play @ Lower Drayton Farm
- World of Wedgwood
Unsung Hero Award:
- Duncan Coleman, Trentham Estate
- George Lowe, Lowe’s on Carter Street
- Karen Johnson, Alton Towers Resort
- Keith Harrison, Gatehouse Theatre
- Mark Wisdom, Poms Lichfield
- Sophie Galentini, Hockerhill Adventure Playbarn
