Mystery shop / judging visit requirements 2026

As part of the terms and conditions of entry, finalists are asked to ensure that they reimburse or compliment the mystery shopper and their family / partner as appropriate, any costs associated with mystery shopping on production of identification by the mystery shopper which will include a formal letter which we will provide for you to print and sign on your own letterhead and return to us.   The shoppers will be briefed with a maximum spend limit and are asked to ensure they  have covered certain aspects of their visit to include food and drink, entrance fees, experience / booking fees.    

Category

 

Judging requirement

 


Accessible and Inclusive Tourism *
Pre-announced judge day visit & interview panel.
Business Events Venue *  Pre-announced judge day visit & interview panel.
Camping, Glamping and Holiday Park * 
Pre-announced judge day visit & interview panel (p
lan the visit to see as much of the site and as many units as possible).

Cultural Venue/Organisation
Interview panel.  

Dog Friendly Business
Interview panel.

Regenerative Tourism *
Pre-announced judge day visit & interview panel. 

Experience of the Year *
Mystery shop & interview panel (with pre-booked tickets if required). 

Family Owned / Run Business
Interview panel.

Hospitality & Tourism Student
Interview panel. 

Hotel Wedding Venue
Mystery shop telephone enquiry & interview panel. 

Small Serviced Accommodation *
 
Mystery Shop (including overnight stay and breakfast, plus lunch or evening meal where provided) & interview panel. 

Large Event
 
Interview panel.

Large Hotel
*
 
Mystery shop (including overnight stay and breakfast, plus either lunch or evening meal where provided) & interview panel. 

New Tourism Business *
 
Pre-announced judge day visit & interview panel. 

Pub of the Year *
 
Mystery shop for lunch or evening meal & interview panel. 

Self-Catering Accommodation *
Pre-announced judge day visit & interview panel (plan the visit to see as much of the site and as many units as possible). 

Small Event
 
Interview panel. 

Taste Lancashire *
 
Mystery shop & interview panel. 

Unsung Hero *
 
Panel desk judging.

Small Visitor Attraction and Large Visitor Attraction *
Mystery shop & interview panel (with pre-booked tickets if required). 

Wedding Venue
Mystery shop telephone enquiry & interview panel. 

 #LTA26

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Lancashire’s finest tourism and hospitality businesses were in the spotlight last night (11 February) at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026, held in the spectacular surroundings of the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, hosted by BBC Radio Lancashire’s Mike Stevens. The annual awards, organised by Marketing Lancashire, the county’s LVEP (Local Visitor Economy Partnership) was a dazzling showcase for the county’s leading tourism, hospitality and food and drink businesses, supported by Headline Sponsors Blackpool & The Fylde College and BOOTHS. The… read more

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