Ribble Valley Inns takes on Lancashire pub

Ribble Valley Inns, founded by the Catey award-winning duo of Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft, today revealed it has taken on the management of one of Daniel Thwaites' flagship pubs in Lancashire.

The Clog and Billycock, in Pleasington, near Blackburn, joins the Three Fishes and the Highwayman as part of the Ribble Valley group of pubs.

The deal will see the pub undergo a £1.3m refit to create room for 150 diners both inside and outside, before re-opening in late August.

Brian Jenkins, sales and marketing director at Thwaites, said: "We have been seeking the right partner for the development of this pub for some time and with our joint investment, we are confident the Clog will be a huge success".

Craig Bancroft, co-founder of Ribble Valley Inns, said: "With The Fishes and The Highwayman we've set the bar very, very high. But with operations director Andy Morris once again heading up our team, we're confident our latest venture will have the same huge appeal."

Bancroft and Haworth, chef-proprietor of Northcote Manor, won a Catey for Pub and Bar Operator of the Year in 2005, just months after opening the Three Fishes, in Mitton, Lancashire, opened in September 2004.

Caterersearch.com profile: Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft >>

Nigel Haworth and Craig Bancroft set to complete deal for second pub >>

By Christopher Walton

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