Tourism needs Champions to set standards and break new ground. Our tourism Champion started in business with a home baking stall on Blackburn market. Taking the brave step to start a restaurant with a humble six serviced bedrooms, the business has just grown and grown, into an award winning 30 bed four star hotel. Our Champion has always endeavoured to stay ahead, and in 1995 her hotel became the first in Lancashire to be registered for civil weddings where hundreds of couples have been made so welcome, and very happy with sumptuous hospitality and outstanding service in truly glorious surroundings. Our 2014 Tourism Champion is, of course, pioneer and entrepreneur, Janet Simpson of the Gibbon Bridge Hotel.