THE wait is finally over. Winners of the inaugural 2019 BH Star Awards were revealed at a glitzy gala awards ceremony at Lighthouse, Poole on Thursday night.

The award categories included dining experience, hotel and self catering accommodation, new business, innovation, activities, retailer experience, green initiatives and more.

Headline sponsor Shorefield Holidays, said: “Not only do the BH Star Awards raise the profile of tourism in Dorset across the BH postcode area, but our worthy winners act as beacons for those who will enter in the future and in other regions.”

Jackie Phillipson, co-founder of RoutePr and Events, organiser and curator of the Star Awards, said: “The value of winning, kudos and related publicity mean that winners have something to shout about as they return to congratulate their teams. The judges were impressed by business growth and development, but we must say well done to all entrants, semi-finalists and especially, tonight’s winners.

“Entrants, sponsors and partners have excelled themselves with their commitment to doing a fantastic and professional job. High calibre entrants show Dorset has what it takes to sparkle with stellar performance.

“The evening is also the standout event for making regional tourism connections amongst those who tireless hard work and dedication go into creating this award-winning destination.”

The 2019 BH Star Awards winners are:

Legend Award (sponsored by ROUTEpr & Events)

Ian Goode, Goode Experience

Education & Mentoring (sponsored by Shorefield)

WINNER/GOLD Capital School of English

SILVER BU Dept of Tourism & Hospitality

BRONZE Trainer Lash

Getting About (sponsored by Daily Echo)

WINNER/GOLD Dorset Cruises

SILVER PRC Streamline Taxis

BRONZE Morebus

BRONZE South Coast Caravan Hire

Shopping Experience (2 Gold Winners) (sponsored by BoHo Beach House)

WINNER/GOLD SHOPPING DESTINATION The Furlong Shopping Centre

WINNER/GOLD SHOPPING EXPERIENCE Dacombes of Wimborne

SILVER Webster Family Butchers

SILVER Gullivers Farm & Shop

BRONZE The Christchurch Confectioner & Gin Shop

BRONZE Westbourne Bookshop

Environment & Sustainability (sponsored by 1st Waste Management)

WINNER/GOLD Terroir Tapas

SILVER The Urban Guild

SILVER Sturts Community Trust

BRONZE Poole Hill Brewery

BRONZE South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park

Learning Experience (sponsored by Shorefield)

WINNER/GOLD Webster Family Butchers

SILVER Food For Thought Cookery School

BRONZE Capital School of English

BRONZE Bodega

Community Award (sponsored by Ward Goodman)

WINNER/GOLD Wave Project

SILVER Bourne Free

BRONZE HAT (Highcliffe Action Team)

BRONZE Hays Travel Southbourne

BRONZE Frankenfest 2018

BRONZE Bournemouth Rocks 2018

Investing in People (sponsored by Shorefield)

WINNER/GOLD The Green House Hotel and Arbor Restaurant

SILVER Brewhouse and Kitchen

SILVER SAMEE

BRONZE Hilton Bournemouth

BRONZE Village Hotel Bournemouth

Self Catering Accommodation (sponsored by ROUTEpr & Events)

WINNER/GOLD Burnbake Forest Lodges

SILVER South Lytchett Manor Caravan and Camping Park

BRONZE Wanderlust Retreats

Boutique Hotel (sponsored by Goadsby)

WINNER/GOLD The Urban Beach Hotel

SILVER The Grove Hotel

BRONZE The Lord Bute

BRONZE Tiien Boutique Hotel

Attraction of the Year Award (sponsored by Wave 105)

WINNER/GOLD Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park

SILVER Adventure Wonderland

SILVER New Forest Water Park

BRONZE Poole Hill Brewery

BRONZE Marvo Mysteries Escape Room

Large Hotel (sponsored by County Foods)

WINNER/GOLD Hilton Hotel Bournemouth

2ND/SILVER Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa

2ND/SILVER The Cumberland Hotel

3RD/BRONZE The Marsham Court Hotel

Business Tourism & Venue (sponsored by Mploy)

WINNER/GOLD Hotel Miramar

SILVER Dorset Cruises

SILVER Oceana Hotel Group

SILVER Marsham Court Hotel

BRONZE Parley Manor Weddings

BRONZE Hilton Bournemouth

Spa, Pampering & Wellbeing (sponsored by BC Nutrition)

GOLD Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa

SILVER Village Hotel Club Bournemouth

SILVER Oceana Day Spa

BRONZE Soda Beauty & Blow Dry Bar

Cafe, Tea Room (sponsored by 15 Mile Foodie)

WINNER/GOLD Number 9 On The Green

SILVER The Paddle

SILVER Pause Cat Cafe

BRONZE Upton Central Coffee Shop

BRONZE Binnies Cafe

BRONZE Frieda's Tearoom

BRONZE Little Pickle Deli Café

Pub of the Year (sponsored by ELIS)

WINNER/GOLD Bodega

SILVER Jenkins & Sons

SILVER Church St. Gin House

BRONZE The Silent Woman

BRONZE Renoufs Westbourne

BRONZE 1812 Lounge Bar and Restaurant

Innovation & Future Proofing (sponsored by Oceana Hotel Group)

WINNER/GOLD Conker Spirit - RNLI Navy Strength Gin

SILVER Drop the Anchor Brewery

SILVER Food For Thought Cookery School

SILVER Capital School of English

BRONZE Terroir Tapas, The Larder House

BRONZE Soapbox Spirits Ltd, Pothecary Gin

Customer Service (sponsored by ROUTEpr & Events)

WINNER/GOLD Tiien Thai

SILVER Webster Family Butchers

SILVER PRC Streamline Taxis

BRONZE Country Fare

BRONZE Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa

Chef of the Year (sponsored by Sandown Mercedes)

WINNER/GOLD Luke Jefford,The Tickled Pig

SILVER Matt Budden, Hilton, Schpoons & Forx

SILVER Maciek Kijewski, Molecular Magic Creative Catering

SILVER Jeremy Fenton, The Lord Bute Hotel

BRONZE Christian Orner, Salt Co

BRONZE Steve Hall, The Noisy Lobster

BRONZE Jordon Hale, The Goods Yard

BRONZE Antonio Balmon, Lolas

Mix Master ( Public Vote) (sponsored by Meridian Lifts)

WINNER/GOLD Julezz Towers, TGI Fridays

SILVER Stuart Reeves, Chaplins

SILVER Jess Smits, Be At One

BRONZE Ashley Barnett, Church St Gin House

BRONZE Alex West, Ojo Rojo

BRONZE Daniel Alves, Lolas

New Business (sponsored by A-One Insurance Group)

WINNER/GOLD Drgnfly

SILVER South Coast Caravan Hire

SILVER Food For Thought Cookery School

SILVER Zim Braai

BRONZE Terrior Tapas

BRONZE Luvwed Group

BRONZE Christian Orner, SALT Co

Night Time Award (sponsored by Templar Wines)

WINNER/GOLD Coastal Comedy

SILVER Halo

SILVER Mai Tai Cocktail Bar

BRONZE Be At One

BRONZE Carls Comedy Club

BRONZE Canvas

Dining Experience (sponsored by Country Fare)

WINNER/GOLD Molecular Magic Creative Catering

SILVER The Tickled Pig

SILVER Ojo Rojo

SILVER Tiien Thai

BRONZE Lolas

BRONZE The Jetty

BRONZE The Larderhouse

BRONZE Renoufs

Tourism Event/Festival (sponsored by Shorefield)

WINNER/GOLD Bourne Free

SILVER Bournemouth 7s Festival

SILVER Christmas In The Coastal Villages

BRONZE Sandfest

BRONZE Dorset Cruises

Rising Star (Public Vote) (sponsored by Meridian Air Conditioning)

WINNER/GOLD Bill Webb, Poole Hill Brewery

SILVER Ty Temel

BRONZE George Barry, Dudsbury Golf Club, Hotel and Spa

BRONZE Mark Palmer, Luvwed Group

BRONZE Hamit Kircal, Myshake Bar

Leading Star, Unsung Hero (sponsored by Nativ)

WINNER/GOLD Andy Lennox, Zim Braai

SILVER Fiona McArthur, SOSBA

SILVER Wendy Parrott, Youth Cancer Trust

BRONZE Jane Hart, Oakemedians

BRONZE Malcolm Angel, Gullivers

BRONZE Keith Hemmings, Morebus

Robert Braithwaite Apprentice Award 2020

Organisers announced a new award: The Robert Braithwaite CBE,DL Apprentice Award which has been created in his memory for the founder of Sunseeker International.

"Robert was a firm believer in the power of apprenticeships and anyone who worked with him will understand the significance of this award in his memory."