Council events shortlisted for prestigious tourism awards

The events have been shortlisted for the Favourite Free Festival or Event Award at the Leicestershire Leicestershire Promotions 2018 Tourism & Hospitality Awards.

The Classic Car Show saw 200 classic cars lining the streets of Market Harborough in July of this year, with almost 26,000 visitors enjoying the vehicles, entertainment and food stalls.

The Market Harborough Food and Drink Festival, regarded as one of the best summer food festivals in the East Midlands, attracted a mouth-watering array of food and drink traders from all across the country, with over 11,000 visitors flocking to Welland Park for the two-day festival in August 2018.

Harborough District Council Chairman Cllr Lesley Bowles, who attended the events, said: “This is wonderful news and is recognition of the hard work that the Council undertakes to deliver large scale events such as these. Both events attracted visitors from further afield to not only enjoy the festivities but to also spend in local shops, cafes and restaurants, which in turn raises the profile of our district.”

The annual Tourism & Hospitality Awards aim to showcase and celebrate the excellent work that event organisers, local visitor attractions, hotels, restaurants and food producers undertake to make Leicestershire one of the most attractive counties to live in, work in and visit.

Cllr Bowles added: “Several other businesses, locations and events across the Harborough District have also received well deserved nominations, including this year’s Harborough Carnival. The awards are a fantastic way to recognise the commitment and achievements of businesses across the county and to celebrate all the work to drive tourism to the area.”

The Council would also like to congratulate the organisers of this year's Harborough Carnival, who have also been shortlisted for the awards.

The awards ceremony will be held at Athena in Leicester on Thursday 29 November 2018.