Southport guest house owners dedicate Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards win to new baby Margo

Southport BID feature by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport 

Sunnyside Guest House in Southport is leading the way in the region, after they triumphed in the highly competitive Ethical, Responsible, and Sustainable Tourism Award category at the Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards. 

Owners Anthony and Larissa have now been chosen to compete for the Liverpool City Region in the Visit England Awards for Excellence which will be held at Rum Warehouse at The Titanic Hotel in Liverpool on 5th June 2024.

It’s been an unforgettable time for the couple, who welcomed the arrival of their newborn baby, Margo, just a week before the awards! 

Last year Anthony and Larissa said it was “a dream come true” after they were recognised as the third best in the country in the prestigious VisitEngland Awards. 

Sunnyside Guest House added to its impressive collection of honours by winning the Bronze Award in the 2023 B&B and Guest House of the Year category. 

In 2023 they won the B&B and Guest House of the Year Awards in the 2023 Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards, which they also won in 2022. 

This year Sunnyside was also a Finalist in the Guest House Of The Year category. 

The Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards ceremony, held amidst stiff competition and soaring standards, showcased the pinnacle of sustainable tourism efforts within the region. 

This year’s event held added significance, with Liverpool being recognized as the most improved destination in the Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDS-Movement), underscoring the collective dedication to sustainability across the area.

Over the past 12 months, the dedicated team at Sunnyside Guest House has made significant strides in improving the sustainability of their operations, achieving outstanding results. 

Their commitment to sustainability has earned them the prestigious Gold Award from Green Tourism, placing Sunnyside Guest House among the elite22 B&Bs in the UK recognised for their sustainable practices.

Venturing into the realm of beekeeping, Sunnyside Guest House obtained certification through training with the Southport & District Beekeepers Association, now proudly stewarding their own hive to bolster the preservation of vital pollinators.

Their proactive stance against plastic waste garnered them a Gold rating for their Plastic Waste Reduction Scheme from Surfers Against Sewage Plastic Free Communities. 

As a result, Sunnyside were asked to become the community lead for Southport and help support other organisations in their journey to reducing single use plastic.  

They are also heading the Food for the Planet Campaign for Sefton, actively engaging with the charity Sustain to make their own pledge and help support other organisations to reduce their carbon foodprint and inspire others to follow suit.

Membership in the Liverpool City Region Sustainability Taskforce serves as a testament to Sunnyside’s unwavering commitment to collaborative endeavours aimed at advancing sustainability initiatives within the region.

Strengthening bonds with local suppliers, Sunnyside Guest House prioritises the use of seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients, offering guests the finest culinary experiences while championing regional producers. Notable reductions in gas and electricity consumption, coupled with efforts to minimise food waste, underscore Sunnyside Guest House’s significant strides in reducing its carbon footprint.

The culmination of this dedication to sustainability was met with sheer joy and surprise as Larissa, co-owner of Sunnyside Guest House, followed from home with the couple’s newborn baby, Margo who was born a week earlier. 

Anthony and Larissa said “This award holds a profound significance for us, as we dedicate it to Margo. 

“To us sustainability transcends mere business strategy; it’s a profound commitment to safeguarding the planet for future generations. 

“With Margo in our lives, this commitment has only deepened, and we are more determined than ever to play our part in creating a more sustainable world.”

As a testament to their dedication, Sunnyside Guest House invites businesses in Sefton to participate in the upcoming Sustainability & The Accommodation Sector event at the Waterfront in Southport on Tuesday, March 12th 10.30am – 12pm, admission is free. 

Attendees will have the opportunity to receive tailored support from the Groundwork team, marking a pivotal moment for businesses embarking on their sustainability journey.