Janet and the whole team were delighted to be shortlisted as finalists at the Ribble Valley Business Awards for the Food Business Award, the Rural Business Award and in the prestigious Bowland BioEnergy Award.

We were equally delighted to have been nominated in the National CLA Rural Business Awards which took place at The Belfry, and are delighted to announce that we came home with a Highly Commended in the Outstanding Rural Diversification Project and that we were runners up in the Rural Entrepreneur of the Year.

We were up against some strong, and diverse competition, and although we did not come home with a trophy we feel honoured and proud to have been there as finalists and recognised as a leading business not only in the Ribble Valley but throughout the UK.

Gibbon Bridge is a family affair. It opened as a hotel in 1982 when Janet and her mother Maggie decided to diversify from farming. They started with six bedrooms and a bar, but as the business grew, so did the hotel. There are now 30 bedrooms, a restaurant and conference and events facilities set in 23 acres.

Janet says: “It is fantastic that we have been recognised among some of the largest and most prestigious players in the United Kingdom. Gibbon Bridge was a dream that became a reality and it proves that if you work hard dreams can come true!”