A HUSBAND and wife team have won an award in recognition of their efforts in building up business at a Kendal pub. James and Pauline Coulthard, who run the Duke of Cumberland, on Appleby Road, beat off competition from around 100 pubs in the area to be crowned winners of the Punch Taverns Shine award scheme in the Business Building category.

The award recognises the hard work the couple have put into the "virtually non-existent" catering side of the pub since taking over two-and-a-half years ago.

"Now, thanks to their determination and commitment, food sales make up almost half of the pub's turnover," said regional operations director at Punch, Mark Chapman.

Since taking over the couple have also invested in a new state-of-the-art kitchen, function room and beer garden, and are also considering adding a conservatory. Mr Coulthard said: "You can never rest on your laurels in this business. You need to be constantly thinking about the customers needs and what you could be doing to meet them."