The champagne may have been put on ice but, finally, the corks can start popping.

Winners of the 2020 BHStar awards have been named with their awards hand-delivered by the sponsors.

More than 300 hospitality, retail and tourism businesses across Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and surrounding areas entered the awards.

They were held in association with title sponsor, Hoburne Holidays.

The awards gala dinner was put on hold because of the pandemic.

But the organisers, ROUTEpr & Events, and sponsors decided that with businesses reopening once again, it was time to break out the champagne and announce the winners.

Jackie Phillipson, Co-founder of the BHStar awards with husband Richard Blunderfield, pictured left, said: “Over the past 12 months, the entrants have all faced an incredibly challenging time, with unforeseen pressures both on the business and their personal lives.

“Many of the finalists have diversified or invested in new independent ideas and it’s this ceaseless hard work, can-do attitude, energy, and dedication that combine to create an award-winning destination.

“Although we would like nothing better than to get dressed up and meet for a big celebration, it’s time our worthy winners were announced, to give them the credit and marketing they deserve ahead of all businesses reopening.”

Simon Phillips, Operations Director of Hoburne Holidays, added: “Many businesses, organisations, and individuals shortlisted as finalists within the BH Stars Awards are in some of the hardest hit sectors and, despite Covid-19, they have not given up.

“They have adapted and demonstrated their star quality, innovating business models and going above and beyond to continue providing customers with an excellent experience.

“We wish to congratulate not just the winners but all of the finalists for surviving these last 12 months.

“We understand first-hand the pressures faced but we hope you can now all look ahead and hopefully enjoy a buoyant summer across the region.”

BHStar 2020 winners and finalists:

THE ACCOMMODATION AWARD (SPONSORED BY COUNTY FOODS)

GOLD: Cliff House Hotel (Boutique Hotel)

GOLD: Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa (Large Hotel)

GOLD: South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park (Self Catering), pictured.

+++

SILVER: The Grove Hotel (Boutique Hotel)

SILVER: The Kings Arms Hotel (Boutique Hotel)

SILVER: Hilton Hotel Bournemouth (Large Hotel)

SILVER: Hotel Miramar (Large Hotel)

+++

BRONZE: The Lord Bute (Boutique Hotel)

BRONZE: Marsham Court Hotel (Large Hotel)

BRONZE: The Cumberland Hotel (Large Hotel)

APPRENTICE (in memory of Robert Braithwaite CBE DL)

GOLD: Rob Batson

SILVER: Charlie Hoskins

SILVER: Megan Farelly

BRONZE: Seb Scott

ATTRACTION OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY GOODE CHOICE CATERING)

GOLD: Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park

SILVER: Mr Mulligans

BRONZE: Dorset Adventure Park

BEST SUNDAY ROAST AWARD (SPONSORED BY ROUTEPR & EVENTS)

GOLD: Sunday Roast Deliveries

SILVER: James and White

SILVER: Penn Central

BRONZE: Nelson Tavern

BRONZE: The Pear at Parley

BRONZE: Thomas Tripp

BUSINESS TOURISM VENUE (SPONSORED BY A-ONE INSURANCE GROUP)

GOLD: Dorset Cruises

SILVER: CentreVR

SILVER: Hilton Hotel Bournemouth

BRONZE: Marsham Court Hotel

BRONZE: Wimborne Town Football Club

CAFÉ/TEAROOM OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY CITYFIBRE)

GOLD: Velo Domestique

SILVER: Number 9 On The Green

BRONZE: Pause Cat Café

CHEF OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY COUNTRY FARE)

GOLD: Matt Budden – Schpoons & Forx

SILVER: Frederic Seweryn – Guildhall Tavern

SILVER: Bartlomiej Wujczak – The Larderhouse/Terroir Tapas

BRONZE: Christian Orner – Salt Co. Private Chef & Chocolatier

BRONZE: Richard Norris – The Cliffhouse Hotel

BRONZE: Jeremy Lenton – The Lord Bute Hotel

THE COMMUNITY AWARD (SPONSORED BY HOBURNE HOLIDAYS)

GOLD: Rustic & Retro Cakery

SILVER: Pause Cat Café & Fresh Charity

BRONZE: AFCB Community Trust

THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD (SPONSORED BY HOBURNE HOLIDAYS)

GOLD: Dacombes of Wimborne

SILVER: Pizza With Love

BRONZE: PPE Security

THE DINING EXPERIENCE AWARD (SPONSORED BY COUNTRY FARE)

GOLD: Guildhall Tavern

SILVER: Moose Kitchen

BRONZE: Lolas Restaurant

BRONZE: Schpoons and Forx Restaurant

BRONZE: Zim Braai

THE EDUCATION AND MENTORING AWARD (SPONSORED BY HOTEL MIRAMAR)

GOLD: Classroom in the Heart of the Industry

SILVER: Branded Studios

BRONZE: Art Sushi

BRONZE: Bournemouth and Poole College Student Union Student Engagement Team

BRONZE: Jaimee Lee Dance Academy

THE ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABILITY AWARD (SPONSORED BY MOREBUS)

GOLD: Almond&Co

SILVER: Organic Hair Café

SILVER: Terroir Tapas

BRONZE: Dorset Goat Meat Company

BRONZE: South Coast Makers Market

EVENT/FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY PRC STREAMLINE TAXIS)

GOLD: Poole Harbour Festival

SILVER: Mudeford Seafood Festival

BRONZE: South Coast Makers Market

THE FUTURE PROOFING AND INNOVATION AWARD (SPONSORED BY CITYFIBRE)

GOLD: Fusion WiFi

SILVER: Bourne Space

BRONZE: Relight My Choir

THE HERE 2 THERE AWARD (SPONSORED BY HOTEL MIRAMAR)

GOLD: PRC Streamline Taxis

SILVER: morebus

BRONZE: Liberty Cars Poole

BRONZE: Rachael’s Cars

INVESTING IN PEOPLE (SPONSORED BY CITYFIBRE)

GOLD: Hilton Hotel Bournemouth

SILVER: The Noisy Lobster

THE LEADING STAR AWARD (SPONSORED BY GOODE CHOICE CATERING)

GOLD: Ty Temel

SILVER: Andrea & Barry Thompson

SILVER: Paul Collins

BRONZE: Barbara Fowler

BRONZE: Emma Ging

BRONZE: Nicholas O’Hara

LEARNING EXPERIENCE OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY MERIDIAN AIR CONDITIONING)

GOLD: The Christchurch Confectioner & Gin Shop

SILVER: Webster Family Butchers

SILVER: Jamie Lee Dance Academy

BRONZE: Relight My Choir

BRONZE: Salt Co. Private Chef & Chocolatier

THE MIX MASTER AWARD (SPONSORED BY ROUTEPR & EVENTS)

GOLD: Lolas

SILVER: Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar

BRONZE: Las Iguanas

BRONZE: Renoufs Wimborne

NEW BUSINESS OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY A-ONE INSURANCE GROUP)

GOLD: Zim Braai

SILVER: CentreVR

BRONZE: Luvwed

BRONZE: Twelve Eatery

THE NIGHT TIME AWARD (SPONSORED BY PRC STREAMLINE)

GOLD: Aruba Restaurant & Bar

SILVER: Smokin’ Aces

SILVER: Tin of Sardines Gin Bar

BRONZE: Carls Comedy Club

BRONZE: Makla

PUB/BAR OF THE YEAR (SPONSORED BY TEMPLAR WINES)

GOLD: Thomas Tripp

SILVER: The Way Outback Bar & Tap Room

SILVER: The Pear at Parley

BRONZE: The Foundry Arms Poole

BRONZE: Smokin’ Aces

THE RISING STAR AWARD (SPONSORED BY MERIDIAN AIR CONDITIONING)

GOLD: Hotel Miramar

SILVER: The Ice Chef

BRONZE: Truly’s Westbourne

BRONZE: A-One Insurance Group

THE SHOPPING DESTINATION AWARD (SPONSORED BY MOREBUS)

GOLD: Southbourne

SILVER: Furlong Shopping Centre

BRONZE: Westbourne

BRONZE: Wimborne

THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE AWARD (SPONSORED BY MOREBUS)

GOLD: Websters Family Butcher

SILVER: M’s Bakery.

BRONZE: The Christchurch Confectioner & Gin Shop

THE WELLBEING AWARD (SPONSORED BY BC Nutrition)

GOLD: Village Hotel Club (Bournemouth)

SILVER: Tigerlilly Nail Salon

SILVER: EforEA & Health Club, Hilton (Bournemouth)

BRONZE: Organic Hair Café

BRONZE: Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa

• All pictures courtesy of ROUTEpr & Events.