Shire Cruisers Shortlisted for Yorkshire Tourism Award

Drifters’ member Shire Cruisers is one of nearly 100 businesses – and the first ever canal boat holiday provider – to be shortlisted for Yorkshire Tourism’s White Rose Awards.

Covering 16 categories, the White Rose Awards – the UK’s largest celebration of tourism – include the best Yorkshire attractions, hotels, B&Bs, restaurants and pubs.

Colin Mellor, Chair of the White Rose Award Judges, said: “Every year, the field of entries seems to get stronger and stronger and this year’s awards are certainly no exception.

“We’ve had a record number of entries, almost a third of which are first time entrants, which is a real testament to the growing tourism offering in Yorkshire.”

Shire Cruisers, which has bases at Sowerby Bridge, at the junction of the Rochdale Canal and Calder & Hebble Navigation, and on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Barnoldswick, has been nominated along with five other companies under the ‘Self-catering’ category.

Nigel Stevens, owner and operator of Shire Cruisers, says: “We are absolutely delighted to have been shortlisted for a White Rose Award for the first time. Yorkshire is a wonderful place to visit, with a thriving £7billion tourist industry, employing almost a quarter of a million people.

“Shire Cruisers is a small family-run business and we are very proud to be able to offer visitors to Yorkshire the opportunity to explore this beautiful county by canal boat.

“Yorkshire’s secret waterways offer a new discovery round every corner, with amazing scenery, friendly people, welcoming pubs, history all around, walks up the hills – there’s so much to see and enjoy.

“This nomination recognises our fantastic staff, who take a huge amount of care to ensure our canal boat holiday-makers have a wonderful experience.”