Pub makes it a double with 20th anniversary
ACOUNTRY pub in West Lancashire has won a top award - as owners celebrated 20 years in charge.
The Wayfarer, on Alder Lane, Parbold, beat strong competition to win Family Business of the Year at The Be Inspired Business Awards (Bibas), Lancashire’s largest and longest running awards programme.
It was the pub’s first time of entering.
There was also a special award for manager Rachel Birkett, who has turned around an early life of being estranged from her family and turning to drugs to becoming a successful business woman who has driven the success of The Wayfarer.
The awards are run by the North and Western Lancashire Chamber of Commerce.
The Wayfarer is owned by Parbold couple Mel and Nadine Street, coowned and managed by their daughter, Rachel, and her husband, Jonny.
The family got together for a double toast.
Rachel said: “We celebrated the 20th birthday of The Wayfarer and then won the award for Family Business of the Year in the same week!
“The award win is a shock and an honour for the three generations of our family actively working in the business, and our wider staff family too.
“We work hard to provide a place for other families to come together over high quality food, locally brewed beer and a warm welcoming atmosphere.
“It is brilliant to have our hard work recognised.”
Between the ages of 16 and 21, Rachel was estranged from her family.
She spent her late teens away from the family, working in hospitality jobs, often squatting or sofa surfing, turning to drugs before developing metal health issues.
Realising that she wanted to change, Rachel discovered answers to her questions in the Christian faith.
By 1997, aged 24 and still estranged from her parents, Rachel was offered an olive branch and the chance to reconcile with her family, receiving an invitation to the opening of the pub they had just bought, The Wayfarer.
Rachel’s hospitality experience helped her to identify that staff were under pressure at the bustling opening night party.
She began helping out, clearing plates and glasses and was offered a job as a waitress.
She has managed the pub with Jonny for the past 10 of her 20-year career within the family business and has been credited for its strategic and creative growth.
She is also the inspiration behind the name of The Wayfarer’s in-house beer, Problem Child Brewing.
Rachel said: “We have grown up and grown together as a family through The Wayfarer.
“Our country pub is so special to us, reconciling the family in the early days and continuing to give us a unified purpose.
“The Wayfarer is the hub of our family unit which we extend out to staff and customers alike.
“Family and community values are at the heart of everything we do.”
The Bibas were the first awards actively entered by The Wayfarer, with the business shortlisted in three categories: Leisure, Family Business and Business Person of the Year.
Judges from all three categories visited the 17th century pub before the awards final on Friday, September 15 at Blackpool Tower ballroom.
Judges were impressed with the passion and culinary innovation championed by head chef Paul Harries and the kitchen team.
Significant investment into kitchen equipment that enables modern cookery techniques were noted, along with a dedication to local suppliers.
The development of Problem Child Brewing and participation in a calendar of community events were celebrated by the panel.
The judges said: “This highly competitive category was won by a business that clearly demonstrated strategic vision, innovation, creativity with true family values and is an integral hub of the local community.”