Borough leisure venue shortlisted for prestigious county award

An Erewash-based entertainment, sport and leisure venue has been included in a shortlist for a Derbyshire-wide award and may also receive wider national acclaim with any success.

The 2025 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards seeks to shine a spotlight on excellence and outstanding achievement across the area’s £2.89bn tourism sector.

Following a record number of entries, finalists have been unveiled in 15 awards categories celebrating the best of the local visitor economy, ranging from hotels, B&Bs and campsites to pubs, visitor attractions and unique experiences.

Morley Hayes is one of three businesses listed as finalists in the Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism Award category.

Shortlisted businesses will now go forward to the final round of independent judging, including a series of mystery shopping visits, before the winners are selected ahead of a joint Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire awards ceremony held at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on Thursday 20th March 2025.

The region’s two Local Visitor Economy Partnerships (LVEPs) – Visit Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby and Visit Nottinghamshire – are joining forces to deliver the awards ceremony in partnership for the first time, with the support of the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA).

The ceremony will be hosted by Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, and is set to be a stunning showcase of the value and quality of the region’s combined £5.25bn visitor economy, celebrating the exceptional talent and innovation across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. 

Following the awards ceremony, Gold winners in each of the core categories will progress onto the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence in June 2025, which represent the highest accolades in English tourism.

Jo Dilley, Managing Director of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire, said: “The Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Awards are a celebration of our vibrant tourism industry and its enormous contribution to the local and regional economy. As we look forward to celebrating with finalists and partners at our landmark joint Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire awards ceremony in 2025, it’s an extra-special time to not only celebrate individual businesses, but to also recognise the importance of the visitor economy in delivering growth, supporting jobs and driving economic prosperity across the East Midlands. 

“Our 2025 finalists are a fantastic mix of diverse, innovative and passionate businesses from across the county who deliver consistently high quality, memorable experiences for some of the 42 million visitors who come to the area each year. It will be a privilege to bring all the finalists together next March to mark their achievements and we wish every shortlisted finalist the very best of luck.”

In addition, public voting has officially opened for the new ‘Festival or Event of the Year’ category which champions quality events and festivals that have taken place in the Peak District and Derbyshire – from country shows and music festivals to unique exhibitions and arts trails.

There are 9 finalists competing to take the title of Festival or Event of the Year 2025, with voting open until 1st December 2024. The finalist with the largest number of votes will secure the crown.

To check out the events and festivals in the running and to cast your vote go to: Peak District & Derbyshire - Application Gallery