Three local venues have been named among the finalists in Northern Ireland’s most prestigious events for the hospitality industry. The Canal Court and Spa in Newry will be vying for honours in the Hotel of the Year (over 75 rooms) category at the Licensed & Catering News Awards gala evening in the Europa Hotel Belfast on June 7. The Point Off Licence in Warrenpoint will also be hoping for success in the Off-Licence of the Year Section. And the Canal Court General Manager Deborah Ferguson is also a contender in the Hotel Manager of the Year Category. In the Nightclub of the Year Category BED in Newry is among the finalists. This is the third year that LCN – the leading local trade journal for the hospitality and tourism industries in Northern Ireland – has organized these awards. The 2013 event which is almost sold out has attracted considerable sponsorship including support from Diageo NI, Torres, Bewleys and Belleek. Around 350 guests, many of them key decision makers from the hospitality and leisure trades locally will be in attendance at the event which will be hosted by BBC Radio Ulster afternoon favourite Alan Simpson. The response to this year’s event has been unprecedented. There are 16 closely contested categories designed to recognize the very highest levels of professionalism and achievement across the entire ambit of the hospitality sector in Northern Ireland including hotels, restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, cafes, off-licences, fast-food outlets and catering operations. There will also be awards for top-end provision in the tourism and training sectors as well as a very special ‘Industry Achievement Award’ – the recipient of which will only be revealed during the awards ceremony. Awards organiser and the publisher of LCN, Bill Penton said: “This is the third year of these prestigious awards and it is very exciting not only to see the high level of interest among competitors, but also to see just how keen the industry generally is to celebrate professionalism and success among their peers. We are looking forward to a great night of entertainment an d excitement at the Europa next month when we unveil the very best that the hospitality sector here has to offer. The winners have the satisfaction of knowing they have been independently judged by Spotcheck NI and found to be offering a service that is second to none in the local marketplace. Well done and the very best of luck to all our finalists.” A full list of the 2013 Licensed and Catering News Awards winners will be published in the June edition of LCN along with reports and pictures from the awards ceremony.
Examiner
4th June 2013
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