5 Southport businesses honoured in Hidden Gem category in 2022 Tourism Awards

A total of 5 superb Southport businesses have been shortlisted for this year's Hidden Gem category in the 2022 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards, so please vote for your favourite; it would be fantastic to see a local winner! Southport's shortlisted entries are:- The Bijou Cinema Southport, British Lawnmower Museum, Enelles Glass House, Southport Pier Pavilion, and Vintage Tea Room. Over the last 4 weeks the public have been voting for their Hidden Gem as part of the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards. The Hidden Gem category celebrates the Region's best kept secrets and puts them in the tourism spotlight. Gems may be attractions, bars, restaurants, tours, or natural assets which are off the main tourism trail. Promoted in association with The Guide Liverpool there were more than triple the number of votes for this year's awards. The overall winner will be revealed at the awards ceremony, on Thursday, 10 March 2022. The awards has already shortlisted 3 Southport Guest Houses within the Guest House of the Year category: Sunnyside Bed and Breakfast; Braemar Southport; and The Heidi B&B. The Atkinson in Southport has been shortlisted as Large Visitor Attraction of the Year while The Windmill pub is competing for the Pub Of The Year title. Celebrations are also in store for Formby Hall Golf Resort and Spa, while their employee, Connie Blakemore, has been nominated for the Unsung Hero Award. The awards, which are organised by Growth Platform and held in association with headline sponsor Liverpool BID Company and executive sponsors Quest, Liverpool ONE and National Museums Liverpool, will take place at the magnificent Liverpool Cathedral.

The Hidden Gem finalists full list is:-

► A Slower Space, Liverpool.

► Bijou Cinema Southport, Southport.

► British Lawnmower Museum, Southport.

► Enelles Glass House, Southport.

► Frederiks, Liverpool.

► Invisible Wind Factory Rollerdrome, Liverpool.

► Southport Pier Pavillion, Southport.

► Sudley House, Liverpool.

► Sugar and Dice, Liverpool.

► The Watering Can, Liverpool.

► Vintage Tea Room, Churchtown.

► Volunteer Canteen, Waterloo.

To vote for your favourite click here.

Voting will close at 5pm, on 11 February 2022. Not only does the winner receive the accolade of Hidden Gem 2021, the overall winner will receive a Gold promo package from The Guide. Jay Hynd, Director at The Guide Liverpool said:- "This year's shortlist for the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards Hidden Gem has surely got to be one of the strongest to date. We're delighted to be able to offer the winning attraction a free video production and promo package on The Guide Liverpool to help support the business and make sure everyone in the City Region and afar knows exactly why they should visit our winner in the coming months."

Tickets for the awards ceremony are on sale now and can be purchased here.

Reduce your risk of cervical cancer by getting screened

THIS Cervical Cancer Prevention Week, health leaders in Sefton want to help even more people to protect themselves against cervical cancer. NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are encouraging those eligible aged 25 to 64 to have screening to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer. The test detects human papilloma virus (HPV) and signs of early abnormal cells. Cervical screening is available to women and people with a cervix aged 25 to 64 in England.

Dr Debbie Harvey, Macmillan GP and Primary Care Cancer Lead for NHS South Sefton CCG, said:- "It's important you attend screening when you're invited. Eligible people aged 25 to 49 are offered screening every three years and 50 to 64 year olds are invited every 5 years. Cervical Cancer Prevention Week is a great opportunity to talk about screening, understand the symptoms of cervical cancer, and to book that appointment you may have been putting off."

Dr Graeme Allan, Macmillan GP and Primary Care Cancer Lead for NHS Southport and Formby CCG, said:- "If you are worried about going for screening due to Coronavirus, speak to your GP practice about your questions or concerns. Since the Pandemic, all GP practices have put increased infection control measures in place, including:- the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). You can request a female nurse or doctor, and we encourage you to discuss any concerns with our staff beforehand. Having cervical screening is one of the best ways to protect yourself from cervical cancer If you have symptoms such as bleeding between periods, pain during or after sex, changes to vaginal discharge or unexplained lower back or pelvic pain, please contact your practice to have your symptoms assessed. Your GP practice is still here for you, so don't wait to be invited for your next cervical screening test before getting your symptoms checked out. Your cervical screening test is quick and simple and it looks for the human papilloma virus (HPV). If positive for the virus, your sample will then be tested for early abnormal cells. All eligible people who are registered with a GP as female automatically receive an invitation by mail. Trans men do not receive invitations if registered as male with their GP, but are still entitled to screening if they have a cervix. The best way to protect yourself from cervical cancer is by attending cervical screening when invited. Trans men with a cervix registered as male with their GP will need to ask their GP practice for an appointment."

For more information on cervical cancer and what the screening test involves, please visit:- NHS.UK/CervicalCancer.