A local independent wine shop's investment in a wine bar next door has paid off as it has been named “best local wine shop” in the country.

The Whalley Wine Shop, on King Street, Whalley, has just been awarded the title of the nation's ‘Best Local Wine Shop’ by the wine industry’s leading magazine ‘Decanter’ at the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards.

This is the second time in three years that The Whalley Wine Shop has scooped the top national award in wine retail.

Owners Tom and Jen Jones, who have run The Whalley Wine Shop for ten years, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to win ‘best local wine shop’ ahead of top shops in England, Scotland and Wales.

"As the top wine magazine in the country and with a tough and rigorous judging process this really is the pinnacle of the awards out there! The shop team have worked so hard and deserve all the credit”.

The Decanter Awards, which celebrate and champion creativity, drive and success in the wine industry is the world’s largest and most influential wine competition, judged by top wine experts including a number of ‘Masters of Wine’.

In praising the retailer the judges said: “The Whalley Wine Shop remains a beacon of wine excellence and enjoyment in Lancashire, with an outstanding range, revamped website and new wine bar next door to the shop.”

This accolade follows hot on the heels of The Whalley Wine Shop winning another award in the wine industry by being named 'Best Retailer in the North' in Harpers Magazine's 50 Best Indies, a sector with over 900 Independent Wine Merchants.

The new wine bar was the vision of Tom and Jen who, during lockdown, planned their new venture and with courage, foresight and many sleepless nights, brought to life their vision of a continental wine bar in the disused Barclays Bank.

The bar embraces Tom’s massive love and understanding of the wine world, it is beautifully designed and presented with creativity, imagination and substantial investment, and offers a choice of over 350 wines and delicious charcuterie food.

Together the shop and the bar combine to offer customers in Whalley a complete 'try and buy' wine experience. Customers can try fine wines in the bar and buy from a high quality selection in the shop.

Tom said “ It’s a genuine wine bar with one of the best ranges of wines by the glass or by the bottle anywhere in the UK, complemented with fine foods from some of Lancashire’s finest producers which perfectly suit the wines.

"It’s a wine bar designed by wine lovers for wine lovers."