Wine merchant takes industry award

Shropshire-based wine merchant, Tanners Wines, which has branches across The Marches, has been honoured with a prestigious industry award.

The Drinks Retailing Awards, which are held annually at The Dorchester in London, celebrate the finest wine retailers from across the UK. Tanners scooped the prize of Regional Chain of the Year in a hotly fought contest with competition from independent merchants in Oxford, Cambridge and Birmingham.

The judges said: “Tanners has been selling fine wines and spirits since the mid-19th century – and its reputation remains undimmed almost 200 years later as it constantly reinvents itself to remain relevant to contemporary audiences.”

James Tanner, chairman and managing director of the family-run firm, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with this win. The wine trade is facing unprecedented challenges with the recent changes to the UK duty system and the Extended Producer Responsibility regulations.

"The next 12 months will be make or break for many independents. We hope this win encourages people to visit their High Streets and use local independent retailers.”

Pictured: James Tanner (front right) and the Tanners team