Businesses across the Bridport area have been announced as finalists in the Dorset Tourism Awards.

More than 90 entries were received into the awards, with 60 selected as finalist who are now in suspense until the awards day, scheduled for February 4, when they will learn whether they have won gold, silver, bronze or a special award. A further nine received commended status.

The team at Bridport Tourist Information Centre is "absolutely thrilled" to be named a finalist for both the ethical, responsible and sustainable tourism award and visitor information service of the year. The West Bay play area is in the running as a finalist for the accessible and inclusive tourism award.

West Bay Discovery Centre is also up for the accessible and inclusive tourism award and commended in the small visitor attraction of the year category.

John West, of West Bay Discovery Centre, said: "For the discovery centre, like other tourist and visitor attractions, 2020 has been a challenging year and our success in opening the centre for four months was a massive achievement by our manager and volunteers.

"The centre is designed to accommodate a range of visitors with differing needs and we have been working hard to improve how we do this and the information we provide, such as an accessibility guide and also a large print guide that will be introduced in the coming season."

The Bull Hotel has been named as a finalist in the hotel of the year category.

Sian Thompson, general manager at The Bull Hotel, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be listed as finalists in the hotel of the year category. This is fantastic recognition for The Bull and for the amazing job my team do to deliver amazing memories for our customers.

"It's particularly delighting for me as we've done so much this year, including adding The Monmouth Bar and incorporating the former Stable into the main hotel offer.

"We are just so excited and can't wait for the final."

White Star Running has also been announced as a finalist in tourism event/festival of the year for Run Jurassic in Bridport in 2019.

Andy Palmer, race director at White Star Racing, said: "We are really excited and pleased to be named a finalist in the Dorset Tourism Awards for Run Jurassic 2019.

"It was the first year we ran this event and despite day two being called off due to extreme weather conditions, the first day of racing was a complete success. This event was really important to us and we were honoured to partner with the Jurassic Coast Trust.

"As the official Jurassic Coast Running Festival, there was so much more to this event than just really good running routes. We wanted to help raise awareness of the importance of looking after the gorgeous coastline that we're lucky to have access to here in Dorset.

"We couldn't have done this without the team at Jurassic Coast Trust, who are an absolute joy to work with and who provided a great range of resources and on-site activities to educate our runners and their families about the Jurassic Coast. We're looking forward to the 2021 event already."

The Half Moon in Melplash is in the running for pub of the year.

Landlords Clare and Jamie said: "We are so happy to have been selected as a finalist for pub of the year for Dorset Tourism Awards.

"During a very trying year which has seen us reinvent our business format for delivery and takeaway and adhere to Government restrictions for drink/dine in, being shortlisted has been a real boost to our team.

"We are very proud of our team and all of their continued commitment and hard work. We eagerly look forward to finding out the results and would like to congratulate the other finalists."

Jurassic Coast Guides is a finalist for a third year in the experience of the year category, which is "welcomed news after a very hard year".

Other finalists included the Tangerine Café and Gallery in Beaminster with member of staff Kellie Court up for the unsung hero award, as well as Dorset Forest Garden Glamping in Beaminster in the glamping business of the year category and Tunnel Tree Tops in Charmouth which received commended in new tourism business award.

Awards organiser Robin Baker of Services for Tourism said: "The past 10 months have been a challenge for everyone - to survive let alone prosper.

"Having considered abandoning the awards, I'm so glad we preserved, adapting and changing along the way.

"The delight we're witnessing amongst finalists on being told of their success makes it all so worthwhile."

A full list of finalist can be seen here

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