Local Wine Business Wins National Award for Sixth Time

11 July 2016

Clitheroe based wine merchants D. Byrne & Co have just received two major retail awards at the International Wine Challenge. The business has won the awards for best Regional Wine Merchant of the Year for Northern England and the national award for leading Small Independent Wine Retailer in the UK. Joseph Byrne attended a glamorous awards ceremony at the Hilton Park Lane Hotel in London where to his absolute joy the company won both of the two award categories they entered.

'The International Wine Challenge is the most prestigious awards competition within the wine trade. The judges take everything into account, primarily the range of wines you offer but also the way in which you promote wines and the range of services that you offer your clients. This is a massive achievement for us, we work in an extremely competitive retail sector, and there is competition literally everywhere. To stay ahead we carry a larger range of quality wines and spirits than anybody in the UK, and we have an excellent reputation for the keenness of our prices and our customer service. The judges obviously picked up on this, the mystery shopper was bowled over by the service and knowledge of the assistant. We are pioneers of our trade in Lancashire and to an extent the whole of the UK, my great great grandfather would be extremely proud of our achievements' said Joseph.

'It is an absolute pleasure to open the shop every morning and have the opportunity to work with such a huge and eclectic range of wines and spirits. The stock changes on a daily basis and this is reflected in the massive following of clients we have from far and wide. To receive any award is a wonderful achievement but the national award for leading small independent really is the cream on the top. This award will also prove to be beneficial to our existing and future wholesale clients who can now advertise their affiliation with our company. The prestige of the award will enable the restaurateurs and landlords of the businesses whom we supply to use our reputation as a means to sell their wines' added Philip Byrne.

The famous family firm is no stranger to awards, having won countless at International Wine Challenge since its uptake in 1984. The business still operates from the same premises purchased by Dennis Byrne in 1879, and the fixtures and fittings remain exactly the same. 'My grandfather wasn't exactly the extravagant type and he would be very proud of Philip and I if he was to walk into the shop tomorrow and find out just how little had actually changed. The shops originality and uniqueness are all part of the charm, new visitors but in particular those from overseas are amazed by the surroundings. It's a time capsule dedicated to the glory of beers, wines and spirits dressed in all their finery, and it is something of which all of our family are extremely proud' said Andrew Byrne.

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