Twenty-six of Lancashire’s mayors gathered at Thwaites’ brewery and head office for the first leg of their tour around Ribble Valley.
27th April 2026…// The mayors kicked off the day with coffees and pastries in Thwaites’ training space, where Ribble Valley Mayor welcomed the party and introduced the tour.
Executive chairman of Thwaites, Rick Bailey, also greeted the group and chatted to the mayors about the county’s heritage and development. He said:
“It’s an honour to host the mayoral tour for the second year running. With a rich almost 220-year history, our pride in Lancashire never wavers. Our county is home to pioneers, innovators and creators… much like Daniel Thwaites who brought beer to Blackburn in 1807.
“For as long as we can we’ll continue to shout far and wide about our brilliant county and its successes, and if that means hosting events that show off everything Lancashire has to offer, then we’re always thrilled to be involved.”
After speeches, the mayors were then escorted on a guided tour around the Mellor Brook site. They went into the brewery where head brewer, Mark O’Sullivan, spoke about the beer making process, and how beer is then packaged and shipped to Thwaites’ pubs, inns and hotels. The group was invited to look inside the fermenting vessels too – vital pieces of machinery in the beer making operation.
The mayors then made their way to the stables, where they were met by Thwaites’ famous shire horses: Thunder, Duke, Drummer and Regal. Head horseman Richard Green and his colleagues Bev Holland and Jon Jones hosted a Q&A in the stables, where the Mayors were able ask questions about the horses and their history, and some went on to pet and interact with the horses too.
Mayor Councillor Simon O’Rourke, Ribble Valley Mayor said: “I’d like to thank Thwaites for its hospitality on behalf of everyone who took part. It was the perfect start to what was a fantastic day. It was a great opportunity to showcase just some of the innovative and exciting businesses based in Ribble Valley.”
Every year, each mayor from Lancashire’s boroughs hosts a tour in their specific area. The tours are designed to showcase the best of each borough and highlight independent businesses and individuals that make the county shine.
After Thwaites, the tour continued to other local business throughout the borough.
Rick Bailey added: “Warm hospitality is one of our core values at Thwaites, but that value is rooted in Lancashire’s people. Some may call it our ‘northern charm’, but to us, it’s just a way of life.”
From its origins as a regional brewer with just 10 public houses, Thwaites has evolved into a collection of over 223 award-winning pubs, hotels and spas, and inns spanning England.
