THIS week I wish to highlight a success story.

A local business, that in five years, has gone from a closed, run-down, metal-shuttered eyesore to one of the most thriving and burgeoning establishments in the locality.

It’s a transformation that is hard to believe, to be quite candid.

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Grants Bar, just a short stroll from Accrington town centre, is simply a perfect retreat to relax, unwind and have a natter with its friendly, wide age ranged clientele.

The spacious, well lit, contemporary designed, one-roomed bar is immaculately presented with its numerous leather Chesterfield settees, modern wooden tables and chairs, wood flooring and impressive ornate lighting.

It was a most friendly welcome from bar manager, Jackie and owner, Justin Grant, and the chatty regulars sat at the marble topped, L-shaped bar.

It’s a bar boasting eight cask ales(soon to be 10), all sourced from the Big Clock Brewery, which is housed directly behind the serving area.

Now, that brings me to the main reason for my visit. To see why this fledging microbrewery is fast gaining a high profile in the region’s brewing industry. The six brewery barrel ( 6 x 36 gallons) operation having only commenced in April 2014.

Customers can have a great view of the whole brewery, by walking into an off room, adjacent to the bar. The copper fermentation tanks are an impressive feature.

And owner, Justin and brewer, Craig Devonport, were more than helpful in showing me around. Craig even had me mucking in, having me pour some hops into the boiler!

Justin is understandably very proud and pleased with the success of the brewery.

He said: “At first, it was to supply the beers for Grants Bar. With the intention of supplying a few pubs locally. We only brewed once a fortnight.

“However, our ales have proved so popular, we now have to brew twice a week, to cope with the rapidly increasing demand. The mini kegs are also flying out. And our best sellers, PALS, Dirty Blonde, and our latest brew, EyUp, will be available in bottles, in the next couple of months.

“I get a lot of pride and satisfaction from the brewing side. It’s great to see all the customers, locally and further afield, enjoying your beers. The positive feedback also makes all the hard work worthwhile.”

A trip down the cellar was the last port of call, to sample the breweries latest beer, EyUp. Quite a privilege, being the first to taste it - apart from the brewer of course.

It’s a refreshing, peachy flavoured slurp, with a mellow hopped finish. An easy drinking beer at 3.8% - similar to the PALS brand. Available in Grants Bar tomorrow.

Grants Bar and brewery is, without doubt, one of Hyndburn’s major success stories of recent times, a business that is thriving as a jewel in the local community.