Headline Sponsor for Southport Flower Show 2022 Southport Flower Show will be Home Bargains

THE retailer Home Bargains has been secured as the Headline Sponsor for the Southport Flower Show in 2022. Home Bargains, who are 1 of the UK's highest ranking discount retailers will also be sponsoring the Cookery Theatre and the Food Village, at the event, which runs from 18 August to 21 August 2022.

Alan Adams, General Manager of Southport Flower Show and Victoria Park said:- "We are delighted to welcome Home Bargains as our headline sponsor for our much anticipated 91st show. Home Bargains play a huge part in our community and we are overjoyed that they have agreed to support us on our return next year. The Show is the largest independent flower show in the country attracting over 55,000 visitors across 4 days. Visitors can enjoy stunning show gardens and spectacular floral displays in our Grand Floral Marquee. Whether you are an amateur or a professional gardener, you can enjoy gardening tips and advice from our special guests. If growing your own is your thing you will intrigued by our Amateur Growers' Marquee. You will be amazed at how many exhibits are on display including:- flowers, baking, preserves, fruit, veg and honey! The show has a variety of entertainment for the whole family. We have a stunning line up of spectacular thrills and amazing performances to surprise as well as amuse. There will also be lots of hands on art and craft activities to entertain the children and don't forget; children under 16 go free with a paying adult. Enjoy famous celebrity and much loved local chefs sharing their tips while they cook; live in our Cookery Theatre! Once you've got your inspiration, head to the bustling food marquee where you can sample and buy produce from over 50 independent gourmet Producers. Join us for a great day out. You will quickly discover the variety on offer goes well beyond what you might imagine a flower show to be!"

For more information please visit:- SouthportFlowerShow.Co.UK.

VisitEngland announces Visitor Attraction Accolade Winners 2020 - 2021

VisitEngland have announced the latest winners of its Visitor Attraction Accolades for 2020 and 2021 recognising the outstanding visitor experiences on offer across the country. The winners have been awarded Accolades based on the scores they gained in their annual Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme assessment by VisitEngland. With many attractions closed during the Pandemic, the usual announcement in February 2021 has been postponed to October, with attractions assessed in 2020 and 2021 included.

VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said:- "I'm so pleased to see our visitor attractions back in the spotlight with these accolades that recognise the amazing experiences available across the country. They also acknowledge the people who bring the attractions to life through their unparalleled customer service. They are the ones who make an attraction the most:- 'welcoming' and give life to the:- 'Best Told Story' whilst the quality of the attractions themselves are rewarded with:- 'Quality Food and Drink' and 'Hidden Gem' and of course:- 'Gold' for best all rounders. Now more than ever we need these attractions to encourage and remind us to get out and explore the amazing tourism on offer across England, driving recovery and economic benefits through the Regions."

The 76 attractions are being recognised for the exceptional experiences they provide visitors from Welcome Accolade, Hidden Gem, Best Told Story, Quality Food and Drink and the Gold Accolade for all round top scoring attractions.

In the North West the winners are as follows:-

► Liverpool Cathedral, Liverpool = Gold.

► Shiverpool, Liverpool = Gold.

► Chester Zoo, Chester = Gold.

► Quaker Tapestry Museum, Kendal = Hidden Gem.

► The Lakes Distillery, Cockermouth = Gold.

► RSPB Dee Estuary, Burton Mere Wetlands, Neston = Welcome.

► Muncaster Castle, Gardens and Owl Centre, Ravenglass = Best Told Story.

► The Beacon Museum, Whitehaven = Best Told Story.

Introduced by VisitEngland in 2014, the Visitor Attraction Accolades are available to members of the Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme who represent a wide range of tourism experiences across England, from:- museums and galleries, farm attractions, historic houses and gardens to:- Churches, Cathedrals and country parks. They are supported by a network of highly trained and experienced assessors who advise on improving and promoting the quality, accessibility and sustainability of their offer.

VisitBritain's latest forecasts show that domestic tourism spending is estimated this year of ₤51.4 billion, just over ˝ of the ₤91.6 billion in 2019. Last year alone saw about ⅔ of the value wiped off the domestic tourism industry in Britain, a ₤58 billion loss to the economy.

See the full list of attractions to receive VisitEngland 2020-21 Visitor Attraction Accolades here.