Posted on Friday 22nd August 2025
The countdown for the 2026 Visit Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Tourism Awards is now on - with just over two weeks to go before entries close.
The deadline for this year’s competition has been extended and now closes at midnight on Monday 8 September. It is free to enter, with 20 categories open to any attraction, experience, accommodation, restaurant, pub, café, business events venue or farm shop – provided as they are in Staffordshire or Stoke-on-Trent.
The awards, organised by the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent LVEP in partnership with University of Staffordshire and VisitEngland, offer an opportunity for tourism and hospitality businesses to get recognition for their commitment and dedication to providing visitors with great experiences and outstanding customer service.
Winners will go forward to the VisitEngland Awards for Excellence 2026, giving them the chance to emulate the success of previous national competition finalists Keele University, World of Wedgwood, Gladstone Pottery Museum, National Memorial Arboretum, Trentham Estate, Duncombe Arms and Alton Towers Resort.
Martin Murray Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills at Staffordshire County Council, is urging businesses to get their awards entries in ahead of the September 8 deadline.
Martin said:
As the beating heart of the country, we have a thriving tourism industry here in Staffordshire with a fantastic array of things to see and do.
We have national attractions, leading UK theme parks, heritage, culture and beautiful countryside, along with many smaller family-owned businesses, all of which play a vital role in our growing visitor economy.
Our annual awards programme shines a light on our amazing county and the businesses and people that make Staffordshire such a wonderful place to stay and visit.
And with only a couple of weeks left until nominations close, I’d urge businesses to submit an application for an award.”
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and LVEP Board Member, said:
We've got so many amazing tourism businesses in Stoke-on-Trent and their brilliant work should be acknowledged and celebrated.
In our centenary year, so much of our heritage, industry and culture has been in the spotlight and really shown off the very best our city has to offer. I encourage all local businesses to enter the awards and show what a wonderful part of the world this is."
Now in their twelfth year, the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent awards, recognise and celebrate the outstanding people and businesses which make up the area’s £2.3bn tourism industry.
Details of all the categories, eligibility criteria and how to apply are available at www.visitstaffordshire.com/awards