The shortlisting comes hot on the heels of EEF Venues being named Best Small & Medium Sized Group and Best Value for Money Group for the fifth consecutive year in BDRC Continental’s VenueVerdict Awards earlier this year.

David Vaughton, managing director of EEF Venues, said: “To be in the running for this national award is the best news we could possibly get. It’s a direct reflection of how our teams achieve consistent customer service excellence and quality standards across each of our three venues, day-in, day-out.

“Given the number and calibre of entries received from quality venues throughout the UK, this is a great honour indeed.”

With 16 Award categories up for grabs, entries have been received from all over the UK and from a diverse range of different venues.  They include academic venues, historic palaces, racecourses, museums, stadia, castles, sportsgrounds, modern and traditional hotels and outdoor pavilions.

Rory Ross-Russell joint-founder of GCN Events, the organisers of the awards, said: “We have been delighted by the venue industry’s enthusiasm and response to these the first National Venue Awards.  Awards are a great benchmarking tool for venues and the ceremony will be a fantastic showcase of all the many examples of award-winning innovation and creativity that occur in this fast-paced and versatile industry.”