WINNERS of the Team of the Year, Daniel Thwaites, promised ‘exciting times’ ahead for both the company and the local area at the Business Awards.

Andrew Buchanan, director of pub operations, celebrated with colleagues as they came out on top of the category for significantly outperforming their competitors in the tough brewery market.

Currently based in Penny Street, Blackburn, the independent family brewer, pub and hotel giant founded in 1807 is now planning its next move to a new state-of-the-art building, but will maintain is rich heritage. Mr Buchanan said: “We are absolutely delighted and really, really proud. I’m really proud of the people I work with.

“They do a fantastic job in a very difficult market.

“The next few years for Daniel Thwaites and Blackburn will be really exciting.

“The prospect of a new brewery and lots of investment in our pubs will lead to growing our business and further establishing stronger links with local community.”

Daniel Thwaites already employs 1,470 staff and with popular beers and ales such as Wainwrights and IPA supplied across the country, they continue to buck the trend of declining sales.

David Hill, partner at law firm Napthens, which sponsored the Team of the Year award, said: “It’s nice to have such an established, long-standing firm recognised for moving with the times.

“Their team’s changed a great deal in the last three years and the brewery business is very difficult at the moment.

“They’ve changed the way they work and it seems to be a success.

“It is very important for us to be involved in the Lancashire Telegraph Business Awards.

"Napthens has been in Blackburn for 25 years it is nice to be able to give something back and celebrate success stories.

“Over here in Blackburn we don’t shout about our success stories as much as we should do. It is nice to put people in the limelight.”