Fairham Gin Highly Commended at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026

On the evening of 11 February 2026, in the iconic surroundings of the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, Fairham Gin, founded by Ellis Mckeown and Liam, were proudly named Highly Commended in their category at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2026.

Organised by Marketing Lancashire and supported by headline sponsors including Booths, the awards celebrate the very best of Lancashire’s thriving food, drink, hospitality and tourism scene. The judging process is known for being rigorous, detailed and independently assessed, making recognition on the night all the more meaningful.

For Fairham Gin, this moment carried extra weight.

In 2024, the brand reached the Finals of the same awards. However, before the interview stage, the decision was made to withdraw. It was not a question of competition, but of confidence. At that time, Ellis and Liam did not feel the brand fully reflected the standard, identity and ambition they knew it was capable of representing.

Over the past two years, considerable work has gone into refining every aspect of Fairham Gin, from brand positioning and product development to customer experience and storytelling. The goal was clear: to create a business that felt authentic, confident and ready to stand proudly on a county-wide stage.

Returning in 2026 and being recognised in what judges described as a particularly strong and competitive category is a testament to that commitment and growth.

While congratulations were rightly given to category winners Farm Yard Brew Co, Fairham Gin stood tall as Highly Commended, a testament to resilience, growth and the power of backing themselves.

For Ellis and Liam, being named Highly Commended is not simply about the accolade itself, but about the journey behind it. It reflects resilience, belief and the continued support of customers, partners and the wider community who champion Fairham Gin every day.

This recognition represents not just how far the brand has come, but the confidence with which it now looks ahead.