A NEW theme park outside Whitchurch has picked up a prestigious double at business awards in Cheshire, despite not even trading for a year.

BeWILDerwood, in Cholmondely, opened last year and is approaching its first-ever Easter with a series of events, but was named as the best new tourism business at the Marketing Cheshire Annual Awards on Thursday, March 24.

The outdoor theme park, based on a series of books, rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest businesses in the county, including Chester Zoo, nearby Carden Park and Tatton Park.

And there was a second victory for Hannah Monteverde, boss at BeWILDerwood, as she was named Best Manager at the awards which we held at Nunsmere Hall, in Tarporley.

Hannah admitted the award was a shock to her.

She said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have won the New Tourism Business Award.

"We’re so happy to have brought the magic of BeWILDerwood to Cheshire and have had such a warm welcome since opening last spring.

"The feedback from explorers has been excellent and we hope it continues as we grow.

"The Twiggle Team are very excited about the award, and I am still in shock about winning Best Manager – my team nominated me without me knowing, but it was a lovely surprise."

Nicola Said, commercial director at Marketing Cheshire, added: “It was fantastic to have representatives from Cheshire’s visitor economy gathered together to celebrate some of the best of what we have to offer.

“We know how tough it’s been for businesses over the last couple of years, particularly in the hospitality industry, so after two years away it was great to have the chance to get everyone together again.

“We all know Cheshire is a great place to visit and our winners are just some of the businesses and individuals that make it so popular with guests from around the country and abroad.

“We had so many fantastic entrants and I’d like to thank them all for entering, as well as everyone who helped make the event happen. Finally, a huge congratulations to all our winners.”

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Winners in the 18 categories include Chester Zoo for Large Visitor Attraction of the Year and the new Resilience and Innovation Award, The Fishpool Inn for Pub of the Year and Restaurant 1539 in the Taste of Cheshire category.

The event, taking place in English Tourism Week, was hosted by composer, musical director and performer Matt Baker.

A charity prize draw on the night raised funds for the DEC Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal.