International honour for Clitheroe wine merchants

SIMPLY the best! That is the accolade scooped by Byrne's Wine Merchants in this year's prestigious International Wine Challenge.
Nominated for 14 awards, more than anyone else, the family company took four including the Small Independent Wine Merchant of the Year Award for 2008 at the Grosvenor House, London.

On a glittering evening, the Oscars of the wine trade, father and son, Andrew and Joseph Byrne, collected a plethora of awards, beating nominees including supermarkets, agents, on-trade suppliers, mail order, on-line and independent and high street retailers.

Andrew said: "This was a glittering occasion which brings together the most important people in the drinks industry and our award was the crowning glory for our business.

"It was the best award we could ever get, a very big achievement for such a comparatively small merchants compared to the mult-million pound companies we were up against."

The rigorous judging processes included a mystery shopper who commented he was impressed with Tim Byrne's knowledge of wines, from their source to how they complement food and the range of wines the shop has to offer.

He also commended Byrne's staff for their personal attention and customer service. The present Byrne's are the fourth generation – the business being started by great-grandfather Denis Byrne.

All the team, Andrew, Philip and Timothy, Andrew's son Joseph and Simon Jackson, work hard to make the shop one of Clitheroe's top visitor attractions.