The digital marketing agency LOCALiQ UK has earned the Hospitality Campaign of the Year prize at the UK Paid Media Awards 2026 for its partnership with The Cut & Craft, a prominent independent steakhouse group.
LOCALiQ delivered a combined SEO, PPC and digital PR approach that transformed digital search activity into bookings and growth for The Cut & Craft’s sites across York, Leeds and Manchester.
The UK Paid Media Awards, staged by Don’t Panic Events and carrying ‘Outstanding’ accreditation from the Independent Awards Standards Council’s Awards Trust Mark, celebrates initiatives across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland that deliver measurable financial results from paid media investment.
Founded in York in 2018, The Cut & Craft now runs three establishments, serving premium steakhouse fare in modern designer environments. LOCALiQ was appointed to support routine business activities and regional growth, including the group’s Manchester site which opened in 2025.
The agency’s approach featured local SEO, PPC and digital PR combined with individualised tactics for each property, focused on core business goals while delivering regular performance data and strategic client consultations.
Key results included:
A 269 percent growth in website visits
A 68 percent uplift in clicks
A 48 percent improvement in clickthrough rates
PPC activity generated roughly 70 percent additional web traffic relative to the prior year and positioned key locations as top choices for weekday lunchtimes in city centres.
Judges described the entry as an authentic integrated campaign and praised its best-in-class cross-channel coordination alongside its data-focused approach to testing and optimisation.
LOCALiQ UK Managing Director Nick Ashwood said the team was honoured to have its work with The Cut & Craft recognised with the Hospitality Campaign of the Year accolade. This result demonstrated what becomes possible when a strong hospitality brand receives backing through an evidence-based, unified search and paid media strategy. By working closely with The Cut & Craft’s personnel, the agency had turned online interest into real bookings and lasting growth, and looked forward to continuing this progress together.
This accomplishment adds to LOCALiQ’s growing portfolio of recognition within the UK digital marketing industry, highlighting the agency’s ability to deliver tangible results through SEO and paid media for brands competing in challenging markets.