Twenty years old and still going strong

Clitheroe's legendary Emporium is getting set to celebrate its 20th birthday in true Ribble Valley style.
 
Next month (May 2017), the former Methodist Chapel on Moor Lane and first member of the James’ Places family, marks its milestone anniversary with a new seasonal menu and a selection of original cocktails.
 
The Emporium, which set itself apart from other eateries when it first opened, bringing 'dining with retail' to the area, will also undergo a decor refresh. And Jazz Sundays will run throughout the month, beginning on April 27, in order to coincide with the Ribble Valley Jazz Festival.
 
First opened in 1996, the Emporium has seen demand for great food continue to grow. Today, the historic building is home to a coffee shop, wine bar and brassiere located across three floors and features a popular interiors store on the ground floor.
 
Said Mel Oxley, general manager for The Emporium: “One of the remarkable things about The Emporium is the way that the vibe changes throughout the day. We see mums for coffee, friends for lunch, businesspeople having a meeting and there is always a great buzz in the evening – it’s the people that makes this venue so special.
 
“The original principle of dining with retail has never actually left, and everything on display can be bought – as James likes to say, ‘everything is for sale except the staff’.
 
“We’ve moved things around along the way, but we’ve tried to stay true to our roots – it’s no surprise that people come from many miles away to experience it!” 
 
The Emporium, is part of the James' Places portfolio of hotels, inns, interior design and hospitality businesses across the Ribble Valley and Yorkshire Dales sharing the same service values and ethos.