Blackfriars Priory up against the best in the South West

The beautiful and historic venue, which is owned by English Heritage and managed by Gloucester City Council, is a finalist in the hotly contested Bristol, Bath, Somerset and Gloucestershire Tourism Awards.

Blackfriars, whose small and dedicated team host around 30 weddings a year, is up against three other contenders; Ellenborough Park Hotel & Spa, Cheltenham, The Roman Baths and Pump Room, Bath and fellow Gloucester entrant, Hatherley Manor Hotel and Spa.

The venue, based within a medieval priory, has been through a rigorous judging process to make the finals.

The team received a mystery shopping visit and met with one of the award judges, as well as being marked against four criteria: being eco-conscious, being welcoming and inclusive, providing excellent customer service and continuously improving the experience for couples.

It got top marks for hosting Gloucestershire’s first Eco Wedding Festival, promoting low-carbon menus and public transport, and working towards accreditation with the Sustainable Wedding Alliance.

Accessibility improvements have also been introduced such as visual impairment training, high-contrast seating, and a quiet hour demonstrating the venue’s dedication to creating a welcoming environment.

Blackfriars, that also boasts a private courtyard garden and the oldest most well-preserved medieval library in the country, has won a string of accolades including a platinum award in the Best of Bridebook Awards and trophies in the Hitched Wedding Awards and the Matrimony Awards.

It was founded in 1239 on a site that had once been part of a Norman castle, and has had extensive restoration. It is now used for concerts, weddings, exhibitions, festivals, and even yoga sessions.

Cllr Caroline Courtney, Cabinet Member for Culture and Leisure at Gloucester City Council, said: “These awards are a ‘who’s who’ in the wedding world and recognise excellence across the region’s tourism sector. It’s testament to our hard working team at Blackfriars who go above and beyond to make each couple feel special and each wedding a truly unique event. I’m very proud of them for all their hard work and we’ve got our fingers crossed that we bring home the award.”

For more information visit www.gloucesterblackfriars.co.uk