Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards: We're Backing Business award (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards: We're Backing Business award

3:43pm Monday 23rd November 2009 in

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WITH success, profit and expansion plans in the biggest recession since the World War II, it’s clear to see why a Burnley brewery won the Lancashire Telegraph’s We’re Backing Business Award.

There are more than 140 years under Moorhouse’s Brewery Ltd’s belt, but bosses at the firm were determined to prove they had what it takes to defy the economic downturn.

The Accrington Road brewery has more than survived the recession with its £1.3million turnover and was heralded by judges on the Lancashire Telegraph’s Business Awards panel as an innovator.

It has not only increased beer sales in a time where pubs are struggling but has plans to expand to pubs up and down the country.

The 24-employee company is in the midst of a £4million extension on its current site that will create 17 new jobs, offer a training school and a new visitor centre.

The brewery, which offers five core ales including Black Cat, Blond Witch and Pendle Witch Brew, has secured contracts with JD Wetherspoon and Enterprise inns.

The Lancashire Telegraph launched the We’re Backing Business campaign earlier this year in partnership with Busines Link to help the region’s firms survive and fight back against the recession.

Business Link figures showed 4,000 firms were staring into the abyss during the downturn. Since its launch we have helped get firms in touch with free, impartial support and advice available.

And the campaign has also recruited ‘Dragons’ in the form of prominent local business people who will act as mentors for firms.

The We’re Backing Business Award aimed to celebrate the firm which summed up the ethos of the campaign: fighting back and thriving during the recession.

David Grant, managing director, said: “Winning this award really shows that no matter how badly the economic climate can get if you are determined to achieve and you have the right team behind you then you can do it.

“We have not accepted the recession and I think you can believe too much about what you hear and read and lose sight of the job and not get on with it as a result.

"Being positive and living with it and working through it is the key. Business Link have been excellent.”