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Clithoroo Advortlsor&TImQs,Thursday, June 9,2011 Business


Award second helping for chef


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WELL DONE: Steven Smith (centre), receives his award from sponsor Paui Levin, president of Piayboy Energy Drink, (left) with comedian host Dara O’Briain. (s)


. A RIBBLE Valley chef has secured a prestigious national award for the second successive year. C h e f -p a tro n o f the


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Freemasons at Wiswell, Steven Smith, has been named Best Newcomer at the prestigious Publican Awards, having won the Best Design award last year.


. Steven received his award at a ceremony in Grosvenor House, on London’s Park Lane, hosted by comedian Dara O’Briain. Steven said: “This award is


recognition that Freemasons at Wiswell is a country pub, but one that provides a true gastronomic experience. “This has been a great


year for us, having already been awarded the Michelin Bib Gourmand, and this is reward for all the staff.” The judges said: “Steven


ticked all the boxes in the short time he has been in the pub - great food, beer and service in an unparalleled environment. “The food stood out as


top of its class. What’s more, the prices were comparably reasonable, with local and seasonal produce, as well as many local ales, Steven offers world class quality produce while staying true to his Lancashire roots. “He has taken a traditional


pub menu to another level. “ It was e s p e c ia l ly


commendable that Steven is keen the Freemasons remains a pub first. It’s a place where you would feel equally comfortable popping in for a pint as you would enjoying a five-course meal.”


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Judges were impressed by the mix of customers


in the" pub, reflecting its unpretentious feel. They said: “Staff were attentive and willing to accommodate all requests. The pub is on the radar of the Michelin guide, and with Steven’s passion and commitment it is likely to go further.”


PRESENTATION: From the left, Alistair McEntyre, John Driver, Adam Barrett and Paul Atkinson, (s)


www.clltheroeadvertiser.co.u www.cntheroeadvertIser.co.uk Clitheroe Advertiser & Times,Thursday, June 9,2011


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■ Contact Duncan Smith or Faiza Afzaal with your business news. Caii 01200 422324 or email duncan.smith@eastlancsnews.co.uk or faiza.afzaal@eastlancsnews.co.uk


Workers pass the pest test


THREE employees from a Glsburn firm travelled to London to be presented with certificates for passing the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) Level 2 certificate in Pest Management. Pest control technicians John Driver,


Paul Atkinson and Adam Barrett, from Assured Environmental Services Ltd, travelled down to the capital with managing director Alistair McEntyre, for the special presentation. This was after they completed a


course taken at Killgerm Chemicals, the company’s main supplier. The Level 2 certificate was changed


last summer jointly with the British Pest Control Association (BPCA) and for the first time covers practical skills as well as theory. Established in 1994, Assured


Environmental Services provides a complete pest control service to a wide range of customers, which includes domestic households, farmers, businesses and landfill and waste industries, for the control of rodents, moles, rabbits, birds and all crawling and flying insects. The company also works with


wildlife and habitat management and weed control.


Rosebud helps Bull to blossom


by Duncan Smith


A REVAMPED Ribble yalley inn has reopened five bedrooms to provide new accommodation for tourists, thanks to Rosebud - investment finance from Lancashire County Council. The Black Bull Country Inn


p d Restaurant, in Rimington, is owned and run by husband and wife team Katherine Lachance and Steve Hodgson. The finance has allowed


them to refurbish five unused bedrooms at the inn, which haven’t been available to the public for around 60 years. The funding enables the


company to offer its awar4 winning dining events with the option of accommodation, allowing the business to grow. The Black Bull’s French


cuisine is unique to the area, providing a boost for tourism. Funding for Rosebud is


provided by Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL) - the county council’s economic development company - as part of the council’s broad package of iftvestment and advice. It is managed on its behalf by Enterprise Ventures. Katherine said: “Our dining


guests, both local and from further afield, have been requesting accommodation


BUSINESS BOOST: Katherine Lachance, ctMJwner of The Black Bull at Rimington with local County Councillor Albert Atkinson.


for quite some time. It’s very exciting to be able to offer it. “The new bedrooms help us


provide a better range; offering complete wedding packages, holidays in a fantastic Ribble Valley location, or a lovely place to retire to after a meal.” County Councillor Albert


Atkinson, deputy leader of the council and representative for Ribble Valley North East, said: “Tourism brings many visitors to the Ribble Valley.


It is important we have places where people can enjoy a good meal or stay for the night, so they can make the most of this wonderful area.


have strong backgrounds in business, and hopefully they’ll be able to bring this knowledge to the Black Bull and be part


“Katherine and Steve


of a thriving local business community.” Rosebud business solutions is a unique offer to Lancashire


’


business, combining flexible finance with customised support and advice.


Finance is available from


£2,000 to more than £lm for businesses at all stages of development. For details about Rosebud visit: www.lancashire.gov.


uk/rosebud or contact 01772 536600. For the Black Bull visit:


www.theblackbullrimington. com or contact 01200 415960.


Survey shows local firms’ guarded optimism


A SURVEY conducted by TaxAssist Accountants in Clitheroe has revealed that 56% of local businesses expect to see their business grow in the next 12 months. The survey found that, while


the Government and banks’ recent pledges to support small businesses were welcomed, more was needed.


Some 81% of businesses in


the Ribble Valley expected to feel no benefit from the £10bn promised by banks and a further 74% believe employment laws need siiMlifying; currently only 23% of local businesses think they will be able to recruit new staff in the coming year. The survey was undertaken


in partnership with Norwith MP Chloe Smith, and opinions gathered on issues facing small businesses will be taken to the House of Commons to support the call for changes.


said: “We have worked closely with the small business community for many years, so are delighted to have been


Karin Wilson, of TaxAssist


askced 1 d


and, he,—opefully in the long run. iuu, e


to support this campaign ... i,,,..


Clitheroe is a local business Itself, operating across the region, providing tax and accountancy advice and services to small businesses.


help local owner-managers w ith the c o n s id e r a b le challenges they face.” T^^Assist Accountants


Chocs away for new man


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EGG-CELLENT: Andy (left) presents Andrew McDougall, of The Calf’s Head, with the Easter Egg. (s)


IT was a case ,of “chocs” away for dad-of-three Andy Schofield as he launched his new career in the Ribble Valley. Andy has just been


appointed Valley territory manager for Birchall Foodservice (formerly Birchall Catering Supplies), a Hapton-based company, which su p p l ie s foods and cleaning equipment to restaurant, pub, care home and school kitchens throughout the country. One of Andy’s first tasks


was to introduce himself to his new and existing customers by way of offering them entry to a draw with the opportunity to win a beautifully crafted Easter Egg, hand-made by the chocolate specialists at Betty’s o f Harrogate, one of Birchall Foodservice’s longstanding clients. It was won by The


Calf’s Head, Worston, with Andy presenting the prize to manager Andrew McDougall, who then generously raffled it for free among the popular venue’s own guests. Andy, who has a degree in


hotel management from the University of Portsmouth and worked in a similar role for a brewery before joining Birchall Foodservice, said: “I’m really enjoying my new job, not least because everyone I’ve met in the Ribble Valley has been so open and friendly.”, Away from work, Andy,


who lives in his native Burnley with wife Jennifer, six-year-old son Ross and two grown up children, devotes his spare time to following the Clarets.


INSIDE


Front Page property profile Page 24 . ^


Property Advice Page 33 ; •


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