The Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards are now open for entries, offering businesses across the visitor economy a chance to showcase their excellence and be recognised among the best in the region.
To highlight the benefits of taking part, we spoke to Anthony from Sunnyside Guest House in Southport – proud winners at the most recent awards – and the following VisitEngland Awards for Excellence – about what the experience meant to them and how entering has helped grow their business.
Sunnyside Guest House won B&B and Guest House of the Year at the 2024 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards and then went on to win Gold for B&B of the Year and Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism at the VisitEngland Awards For Excellence 2025.
Interested in entering this year’s Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards? Find out more here.
Q: Congratulations on your recent win at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. Can you tell us who you are and a bit about your business?
A: Hi, I’m Anthony from the Sunnyside Guest House in sunny Southport. We’re a small, independently-run B&B, and we’ve just had an incredible year.
Q: You’ve just won B&B of the Year at the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, that’s huge! How does it feel?
A: Yeah, winning B&B of the Year is so, so special for us. These awards – the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence – are like the Oscars of the tourism industry. To be recognised at that level is incredibly humbling, especially knowing how high the standards were this year.
Q: You got through to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence from winning your category at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards? Why do you feel it is important to enter these awards?
A: I think it’s so important to celebrate the work being done across the tourism industry – not just for recognition, but for the opportunity to reflect on what we’re doing well and where we can improve. The Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards bring together some of the best businesses in the area, and being part of that community pushes everyone to raise their game. It’s also a brilliant way to showcase what Southport has to offer within the wider region – we’re proud to represent it on that stage.
And honestly, winning has really boosted our visibility – we’ve seen more interest and more bookings which has been fantastic for the business.
Q: What do you think sets Sunnyside Guest House apart from the rest?
A: I think it’s the personal touches, the attention to detail, and the real emphasis on quality. Everything we do is geared towards making the experience exceptional for our guests – from homemade jams and marmalades (which have actually won awards at the World Jam Championships!) to cupcakes on arrival, and even our own honey from an on-site beehive.
Q: Sounds delicious! Beyond the food, what else goes into creating that great guest experience?
A: The whole customer experience is key for us. It starts even before they arrive – often from the very first phone call. We ask questions to really understand what guests need: if they have mobility issues and need a ground floor room, if they have dietary requirements, or even what brings them to Southport. Then we tailor the stay to suit them perfectly, right down to any accessibility aids they might need in the room – all free of charge.
Q: You mentioned it still hasn’t quite sunk in – winning two golds must be surreal. How are you feeling now?
A: Honestly, it’s still a bit of a shock! We’re so proud but still taking it all in. It’s definitely a motivator for the future though – we’ve got big plans.
Q: What’s on the horizon for Sunnyside?
A: Next year we’ve got The Open Golf coming to the area, so we’re already preparing. This winter we’ll be busy making sure the building looks its absolute best. And of course, expectations will be higher now after the awards, so we’re making sure we stay on top of our game.
Q: Tell us a bit about Southport. What can visitors expect when they come to stay?
A: Southport has so much to offer. You’ve got the Formby Pinewoods and Ainsdale Beach nearby, beautiful spots like King’s Gardens, and some amazing independent restaurants and bars. We’ve also got a fantastic events calendar – from the Southport Air Show and Southport Flower Show to the British Fireworks Championships which even has a stunning LED drone show this year. It’s a great town to visit, and we love being part of welcoming people here.