A RAMSBOTTOM gastro pub has won the Greater Manchester Skills for Business award for social enterprise for training and employing disadvantaged young people.

The Eagle and Child’s training arm EAT (Employment and Training) Pennines Ltd picked up the accolade at a glittering ceremony compèred by Irish comedian Dara O’Briain at Manchester’s Hilton Hotel.

EAT Pennines’ founder, Glen Duckett, 36, took a boarded-up pub that had been closed for 18 months, and developed it. Since October 2011, 20 disadvantaged young people have been supported into training and employment, with 80 per cent continuing on to education, employment or training with EAT Pennines and other employers.

The company also created an Incredible Edible beer garden, developed on derelict waste ground and now landscaped with a polytunnel, hens and beds.

Glen said: “I wanted to demonstrate a pub social enterprise model, tackling youth unemployment and providing training to support disadvantaged young people into sustained work.

“We are committed to building a culture of leadership across the organisation to ensure the staff develop their confidence, capabilities and coaching skills to support themselves and others. The company sources produce and labour locally, delivering an excellent food offer and great service. We have demonstrated you can run a great business as a social enterprise.”

Rachel Shorrock, from Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “Glen Duckett has achieved impressive recruitment and retention rates. EAT Pennines is an accredited training centre.”