A tour inspired by Harry Styles at Holmes Chapel and a world-famous zoo are among those hoping to roar to victory as finalists for the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards 2024/2025.

The prestigious awards celebrate the people and businesses behind Cheshire and Warrington's tourism sector which contributes £3.41bn to the region's economy and attracts more than 50 million visitors every year.

The Bear's Paw at Warmingham is also a finalist. (Photo: Nub News)

And the tour, round Holmes Chapel where the superstar grew up and which Nub News has documented several times including here, is a finalist in the Marketing Cheshire Tourism Awards 2024/202

The Vicarage at Cranage has been nominated for pub of the year. (Photo: Nub News)

The Bear's Paw at Warmingham near Sandbach and The Vicarage ,Cranage, have been nominated for the Pub of the Year. The Bear's Paw has also been nominated in a second category - Small Serviced Accommodation of the Year,      

The guided tour through Holmes Chapel, which allows people to learn about the history of the village where the global pop star grew up including a stop at Harry's former workplace Mandeville's bakery and Twemlow Viaduct, where the singer is said to have had his first kiss, is a finalist in three categories - Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year, Experience of the Year and New Tourism Business of the Year.

Organisers Marketing Cheshire said judges had to sift through a record number of entries for the awards which will see the winners crowned at a glittering ceremony at Chester Cathedral on Thursday, March 6, 2025 – the second year in a row the spectacular venue is hosting the esteemed event.

The guided tour through Holmes Chapel, which allows people to learn about the history of the village where the global pop star grew up including a stop at Harry's former workplace Mandeville's bakery and Twemlow Viaduct, where the singer is said to have had his first kiss, is a finalist in three categories - Best Tourism Marketing Project of the Year, Experience of the Year and New Tourism Business of the Year.

Madame Tussauds' figure. (Photo: Madame Tussauds)

Thanks to its new Snow Leopard enclosure, Chester Zoo is also finalist in the Team of the Year category which celebrates the brilliant work that goes on behind the scenes. Other finalists going for glory in this category are Champneys Mottram Hall; The Chester Grosvenor; Canal & River Trust (North West Destination & Attraction Team); and The Bridge, Prestbury.

And the zoo is also a finalist in the Visitor Attraction of the Year category alongside BeWILDerwood Cheshire; Escapism Chester; Forest Distillery in Macclesfield; Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, Tatton Park; The Ice Cream Farm, Tattenhall; Wild Shore Delamere.

Harry Style's figure on display at the bakery in Holmes Chapel where he once worked. (Photo: Nub News)

Trevor Brocklebank, Chair of Marketing Cheshire said: "Every year the quality and breadth of entries from across all parts of the region is breathtaking.

"It's also great to see the new Best Event or Festival category attracting a host of entries. Our region welcomes over 36.3 million visitors each year and every one of our finalists play a huge part in the continued success of Cheshire and Warrington's world-renowned tourism gems."

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