Owners of Britain's best Guest House invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate English Tourism Week

THE owners of a Southport Guest House, that won a national award for being the best in Britain have been invited to a special reception at:-10 Downing Street in London to celebrate the importance of England's tourism industry. Anthony and Larissa Duffey, who own the multi award winning:- 'Sunnyside Guest House,' located on:- Bath Street, Southport, Merseyside, were invited to the prestigious reception to mark:- English Tourism Week 2026. For Anthony and Larissa, welcoming guests to:- Sunnyside Guest House has always been about far more than simply offering a place to stay. For them, it's about sharing the story of the Town they love, the local producers who grow its food, the artists who capture its beauty, and the community that gives Southport its warm character.

As English Tourism Week 2026 celebrates the theme:- 'Local Stories, National Growth,' the double award winning:- Sunnyside Guest House is proud to highlight the local connections that make every guest's stay a truly authentic Southport experience.

Earlier this year, the small family run Guest House won:- 'B&B of the Year' and 'Ethical, Responsible and Sustainable Tourism' at the:- 'Visit England Awards for Excellence,' making Sunnyside officially the best B&B in England. But for Anthony and Larissa, the real reward is seeing guests discover and fall in love with the people, flavours and stories that make their Town special.

Their passion for Southport has also placed them at the heart of the Town's future. Following their success, Anthony and Larissa were invited to become part of the destination's marketing campaign, appearing in a striking photograph by renowned photographer:- Julia Fullerton Batten. The image recreated the iconic 1930s painting Southport for a Holiday in Wintertime by Fortunino Matania and was used to launch the Southport 2026 cultural programme.

"For us it was incredibly special. Southport has such a rich history as a holiday destination, and to be part of something that celebrates its future as well was a real honour. That same sense of pride and place is something the couple share with every guest who walks through the door." said Anthony Duffey.

Each morning at Sunnyside begins with a breakfast built around the best of the Region. Guests enjoy:- sausages, eggs, milk and yoghurt, all sourced from local farms, alongside award winning jams made with fruit grown nearby by Flavourfresh and a variety of seasonal produce. The ingredients may be simple, but together they tell the story of the surrounding countryside and the people who work hard to produce it.

"Food is 1 of the best ways to experience somewhere. When guests sit down to breakfast, they're tasting the work of local farmers and producers. It's a small way we can support our community while giving guests something genuinely special." said Larissa.

1 of the most talked about features of the Guest House is its own beehive. The bees quietly work producing honey that finds its way onto the breakfast table. Guests are often fascinated to learn how the hive supports local biodiversity and sustainable food production.

Larissa said:- "It's amazing how something as simple as a beehive can spark conversations. Guests love hearing about it, and it helps them feel connected to what we're doing here."

Inside the Guest House, the sense of place continues. The walls are decorated with artwork created by local artists inspired by Southport's coastline, architecture and attractions. For visitors, it's like a small gallery celebrating the Town and often becomes the start of conversations about where to explore next.

Anthony said:- "Tourism is about communities, local businesses and the stories that connect us all and the ecosystem of local businesses plays a massive part in our success over the last 12 months. Many arrive as visitors and leave feeling like they've experienced the real Southport."

To mark the start of:- 'English Tourism Week,' Anthony and Larissa were also invited to a special reception at:- 10 Downing Street celebrating the importance of England's tourism industry.

Anthony said:- "It was a proud moment for us. To be invited to Downing Street and represent small independent accommodation providers like Sunnyside was incredibly special. Tourism businesses like ours are built on passion, local partnerships and community, so to see that recognised nationally meant a great deal."

Larissa added:- "Standing outside Downing Street with people from across the tourism sector was something we never imagined when we opened our doors. It was a reminder of how important local businesses are to the wider visitor economy."

And that's exactly what Sunnyside Guest House hopes to celebrate during:- 'English Tourism Week,' the idea that when tourism supports:- local people, producers and communities, everyone benefits.

Larissa commented:- "Every guest who walks through our door becomes part of our story,. And we're proud to share the story of Southport with them."

Ainsdale In Bloom awarded King's Award For Voluntary Service

THE amazing volunteers from Ainsdale In Bloom were awarded the prestigious King's Award For Voluntary Service. This special accolade was presented by Merseyside Lord Lieutenant Peter Oliver OBE on behalf of:- King Charles III at the FPC Financial Offices, in Ainsdale Village, in Southport.

Under the leadership of Brenda Porter, the group helped to transform Ainsdale in recent years, bringing real civic pride and attracting new local businesses to invest and open. Created in 2002 to celebrate the:- Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee and previously known as:- The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), the Award shone a light on the fantastic work of voluntary groups across the nation.

Equivalent to an MBE, KAVS was the highest Award given to local voluntary groups in the UK, and they were awarded for life.

Other special guests at the ceremony to show their support and appreciation for Ainsdale in Bloom in attendance included:- Dr Nicolas Jedynakiewicz DL; Hazel Snell DL; Colonel Mark Underhill OBE DL; Helen Tanzey; Mayor of Sefton Cllr June Burns; Deputy Sefton Council Leader Cllr Paulette Lappin; Sefton Council Chief Executive Officer Philip Porter; Southport Royal British Legion President Serena Silcock-Prince; FPC Managing Partner Moira O'Shaughnessy; and others.

It was a celebratory day for a voluntary group which did a huge amount of work to make Ainsdale and Southport a better place for all.

Ainsdale In Bloom Chair Brenda Porter said:- "What an honour! What a day. We wanted this event to take place in our Village as this huge honour is for Ainsdale. We wanted everyone there but this was not possible. we did have several representatives from within our community making it an Ainsdale Day. This only happened with huge support from the Financial Planning Corporation which hosted the whole event and how impressive it was; they did Ainsdale proud. Special special thanks to FPC Managing Partner Moira O'Shaughnessy and Amanda you are amazing thank you. Graysons provided a banquet fit for a King which everyone enjoyed including:- all our dignitaries. It was outstanding. Thank you for this support on our special day as you give to us throughout the year. Our wish for it to take place in Ainsdale was so important to us. It was fully supported, and all our dignitaries made this possible. His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant Peter Oliver OBE made the occasion, together with Dr Nicolas Jedynakiewicz and Hazell Snell, so very special such kindness and wanting to be with us in Ainsdale.. and not forgetting all the work of the Lieutenancy Clerk Helen Tanzey you made it so enjoyable thank you. Lovely as ever to meet our Madam Mayor Cllr June Burns and Cllr Paulette Lappin together with the Chief Executive Philip Porter who represented Sefton Council, they were very welcome. Our guests, so very special from our local community, thank you for sharing our special day and representing those who were not there. How lucky are we, thank you. We were delighted to welcome Serena Silcock-Prince who is not only a special friend but the Southport President of Royal British Legion whom we are working with to refurbish our Village Roundabout. Together with my team while our volunteering is never for personal gain this award is very much appreciated and valued and represents Ainsdale itself. It is such an honour and specifically mentions the enhancement and feel of our Village and supporting businesses and that is all about community. Thank you Ainsdale for all your ongoing support, you made this award possible."

Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside Peter Oliver OBE said:- "Ainsdale in Bloom received their King's Award for Voluntary Service, on a beautiful spring day with ample evidence of their beautiful planters. But Ainsdale in Bloom does much more than planting beautiful flowers which lift people's spirits; they work with local institutions specialising in mental health and those with SEND, helping everyone to flourish and value living in Ainsdale. This small group of 12 volunteers has worked for 10 years to reach their current position and this award is truly deserved. Many congratulations to Brenda Porter and all of the volunteers and the organisations who were here who have helped them along the way."

FPC Managing Partner Moira O'Shaughnessy said:- "Huge congratulations to all the Ainsdale in Bloom team and thank you for all you do to improve the lives of our community. We were privileged to host the Lord Lieutenant and team at our offices for the awards ceremony. Brenda Porter is an absolute inspiration to me personally; resilient, determined, inclusive and oh so kind."

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Owners of Britain's best Guest House invited to 10 Downing Street to celebrate English Tourism Week

Ainsdale In Bloom awarded King's Award For Voluntary Service