THE pandemic has put paid to gala dinners for now – but it did not stop organisers of the BH Star Awards from revealing their winners.

More than 300 businesses entered the awards, which marked achievement in the hospitality, retail and tourism sectors.

The awards for 2020 were organised by ROUTEpr & Events, with Hoburne Holidays as the title sponsor.

A sponsor or presenter met each gold winner to present the prizes.

Jackie Phillipson, co-founder of the BH Star Awards, 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 at Hoburne Holidays, said: “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."

The winners and finalists are as follows

Accommodation award (sponsor: County Foods)

Gold: Cliff House Hotel (Boutique Hotel); Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spar (Large Hotel); South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park (Self-Catering)

Silver: Grove Hotel (Boutique Hotel), Kings Arms Hotel (Boutique Hotel), Hilton Hotel Bournemouth (Large Hotel), Hotel Miramar (Large Hotel)

Bronze: Lord Bute (Boutique Hotel); Marsham Court Hotel (Large Hotel); Cumberland Hotel (Large Hotel)

Apprentice (in memory of Robert Braithwaite CBE DL)

Gold: Rob Batson

Silver: Charlie Hoskins, Megan Farelly

Bronze: Seb Scott

Attraction of the Year (Goode Choice Catering)

Gold: Dorset Heavy Horse Farm Park

Silver: Mr Mulligans

Bronze: Dorset Adventure Park

Best Sunday Roast (ROUTEpr & Events)

Gold: Sunday Roast Deliveries

Silver: James and White; Penn Central

Bronze: Nelson Tavern; The Pear at Parley; Thomas Tripp

Business Tourism Venue (A-One Insurance Group)

Gold: Dorset Cruises

Silver : CentreVR; Hilton Hotel Bournemouth

Bronze: Marsham Court Hotel; Wimborne Town Football Club

Café/Tearoom of the Year (CityFibre)

Gold: Velo Domestique

Silver: Number 9 On The Green

Bronze: Pause Cat Café

Chef of the Year (Country Fare)

Gold: Matt Budden, Schpoons & Forx

Silver: Frederic Seweryn, Guildhall Tavern; Bartlomiej Wujczak, Larderhouse/Terroir Tapas

Bronze: Christian Orner, Salt Co. Private Chef & Chocolatier; Richard Norris, Cliffhouse Hotel; Jeremy Lenton, The Lord Bute Hotel

Community Award (Hoburne Holidays)

Gold: Rustic & Retro Cakery

Silver: Pause Cat Café & Fresh Charity

Bronze: AFCB Community Trust

Customer Service Award (Hoburne Holidays)

Gold: Dacombes of Winborne

Silver: Pizza With Love

Bronze: PPE Security

Dining Experience Award (Country Fare)

Gold: Guildhall Tavern

Silver: Moose Kitchen

Bronze: Lolas Restaurant; Schpoons and Forx Restaurant; Zim Braai

Education and Mentoring Award (Hotel Miramar)

Gold: Classroom in the Heart of the Industry

Silver: Branded Studios; Art Sushi; Bournemouth and Poole College Student Union Student Engagement Team

Bronze: Jaimee Lee Dance Academy

Environment and Sustainability Award (Morebus)

Gold: Almond&Co

Silver: Organic Hair Café; Terroir Tapas

Bronze: Dorset Goat Meat Company; South Coast Makers Market

Event/Festival of the Year (PRC Streamline Taxis)

Gold: Poole Harbour Festival

Silver: Mudeford Seafood Festival

Bronze: South Coast Makers Market

Future Proofing and Innovation Award (CityFibre)

Gold: Fusion WiFi

Silver: Bourne Space

Bronze: Relight My Choir

Here 2 There Award (Hotel Miramar)

Gold: PRC Streamline Taxis

Silver: Morebus

Bronze: Liberty Cars Poole; Rachael’s Cars

Investing in People (CityFibre)

Gold: Hilton Hotel Bournemouth

Silver: Noisy Lobster

Leading Star Award (Goode Choice Catering)

Gold: Ty Temel

Silver: Andrea & Barry Thompson; Paul Collins

Bronze: Barbara Fowler; Emma Ging; Nicholas O’Hara

Learning Experience of the Year (Meridian Air Conditioning)

Gold: Christchurch Confectioner & Gin Shop

Silver: Webster Family Butchers; Jamie Lee Dance Academy.

Bronze: Relight My Choir; Salt Co. Private Chef & Chocolatier

Mix Master Award (ROUTEpr & Events)

Gold: Lolas

Silver: Chaplin’s & The Cellar Bar

Bronze: Las Iguanas; Renoufs Wimborne

New Business of the Year (A-One Insurance Group)

Gold: Zim Braai

Silver: CentreVR

Bronze: Luvwed; Twelve Eatery

Night Time Award (PRC Streamline)

Gold: Aruba Restaurant & Bar

Silver: Smokin’ Aces; Tin of Sardines Gin Bar

Bronze: Carls Comedy Club; Makla

Pub/Bar of the Year (Templar Wines)

Gold: Thomas Tripp

Silver: Way Outback Bar & Tap Room; The Pear at Parley

Bronze: Foundry Arms Poole; Smokin’ Aces

Rising Star Award (Meridian Air Conditioning)

Gold: Hotel Miramar

Silver: Ice Chef

Bronze: Truly’s Westbourne; A-One Insurance Group

Shopping Destination Award (Morebus)

Gold: Southbourne

Silver: Furlong Shopping Centre

Bronze: Westbourne; Wimborne

Shopping Experience Award (Morebus)

Gold: Websters Family Butcher

Silver: M’s Bakery

Bronze: Christchurch Confectioner & Gin Shop

Wellbeing Award (BC Nutrition)

Gold: Village Hotel Club (Bournemouth)

Silver : Tigerlilly Nail Salon ; EforEA & Health Club, Hilton (Bournemouth)

Bronze: Organic Hair Café; Christchurch Harbour Hotel & Spa