I Love Awards

The I Love Rossendale Good Guide Awards have been set up to celebrate outstanding produce and service from your favourite businesses in Rossendale Valley.

There are 7 categories to which you can nominate your favourite shops, businesses, places and people.

· Tourism
· Accommodation
· Good Food
· Good Beer
· Arts & Culture
· The Heart of the Valley

Tourism

Rossendale has some of the most intriguing, fun, and historic places in the UK.  Tourism is extremely important as it generates revenue, creates jobs, money and pushes up the economy of the area.
Rawtenstall is lucky to have the oldest, original temperance bar in the UK, Fitzpatrick’s.  Take a step back in time as you enter Fitzpatrick’s and sample some of the authentic cordials.

The East Lancashire Railway literally brings tourists into Rossendale!  The sound of the steam train echoing through Rawtenstall can really take you back to the Victorian era.  The station at Rawtenstall is a true delight and the numerous events throughout the year bring in the crowds.  The ELR cater for everyone, from Real Ale Trails for the adults, to Days Out with Thomas; a fun filled day out for the kids.

Traditional market halls can be quite rare in parts of the UK, but in Rossendale we can boast some of the very best markets with local produce, fantastic traders, and terrific deals!  Rawtenstall market is one of the larger indoor market halls and dates back to 1906.  From cakes and biscuits, fresh veg and meat, pet food, haberdashery, window blinds, books and garden furniture, you can find everything you need under one roof.

Accommodation

Visitors coming into Rossendale Valley have some great accommodation choices, ranging from small, family run B&B’s to larger hotels and holiday cottages.

Good Beer

Real ales in Rossendale are extremely popular and can help to bring tourist into the valley. Rossendale Brewery, based in Haslingden brews its own real ales onsite at The Griffin Pub.  The brewery owner, Geoff Oliver certainly knows his stuff and he can give you a tour of the microbrewery.

The Buffer Stops pub at Rawtenstall Station offers a fantastic selection of locally brewed real ales and ciders.  This little gem in the centre of Rawtenstall holds many events throughout the year including the 1940’s Wartime Weekend and is on the Real Ale Trail.

Good Food

Fresh, local produce in Rossendale is second to none and whether it is selling raw produce or serving fine dining there are some amazing businesses in Rossendale to choose from!
Mark Harrison Tradition Butchers and Delicatessen is a recent addition to Bank Street in Rawtenstall.  The service is excellent from both the butchers and the deli, and you can taste the quality in their foods.

With so many takeaways in Rossendale who would you recommend?  We have tried and tested many local takeaways and have awarded our favourite Spice Master because of their consistently good food and quick and friendly service.  We can highly recommend you try the Keema Rice!

Fashion

Industrial growth in Rossendale started with the wool industry, and later developed to include the cotton industry.  When the cotton industry slowed down the vacant cotton mills were taken over by shoe manufacturing.  So you see, fashion has been a big deal in Rossendale for a long time!

Arts & Culture

Rossendale also has a huge selection of cultural activities such as arts, galleries, libraries, museums, heritage, architecture, crafts, children’s play, reading, and countryside and park recreation.

There are a number of historical buildings which hold tours, such as The Weavers Cottage in Rawtenstall, an 18th Century Loom Shop.  Displays of working looms, a Victorian kitchen, clog shop and tea room.

There are several art galleries in Rossendale, the newest being Mather Gallery in Rawtenstall displaying and selling original paintings from Elaine Cooper, and other fantastic local artists.  The Whitaker Park Museum also houses an art gallery and has a number of exhibitions, and an amazing Victorian natural history collection.

Heart of the Valley

The Heart of the Valley Award has been set up to give recognition to the unsung heroes in the valley, for example, people who work behind the scenes organising town events that we can all enjoy, selfless people working tirelessly to help others within the community, charity workers helping to raise money for local charities, business owners who are working collaboratively with community groups and each other to help improve services within Rossendale.

If you know somebody who deserves a Heart of the Valley Award please nominate them using the form on the contact page.