A WINE distribution company in County Durham is seeing growth across the business almost doubling turnover in some parts as it looks to become the UK’s greenest wine firm.

Lanchester Wine Cellars, which is marking its 30th year in business, has seen strong growth through the recession, with turnover in its bottling business expected to rise from £6m to £11m this year.

Group sales for the wine merchant, based in Greencroft, near Stanley, are also expected to increase from £17m to £24m.

As part of its growth, Lanchester Wine Cellars, which employs 150 people, is looking to become Britain’s greenest wine company, and is planning numerous measures to help cut emissions and give it “carbon minus” status, which could see it leading the way in its sector internationally.

Tony Cleary, who founded Lanchester Wine Cellars in 1980, said the green measures will help to “future-proof” the business and prepare it for further growth.

The company’s new offices and warehouse, built in 2008, incorporate a raft of environmentally- friendly measures, including glass that maximises light but minimises heat loss, automatic switch-off lights and an air source heating system that absorbs warmth from the outside to heat inside the buildings.

More than 230 solar voltaic roof panels, which track the sun, are also being fitted, and the business is hoping to secure planning permission for two 500KW wind turbines.

The move would make Lanchester Wine Cellars Europe’s only bottling plant powered entirely by wind energy.

In a further testament to its environmental commitment, the business is using six lowcarbon emission cars, with plans to trade in its fleet of 18 cars and ten lorries for ultralow carbon alternatives.

The vehicles have been supplied from Advanced Vehicle Leasing, which has bases in Darlington and Stockton.

Mr Cleary said: “We are not just talking about green initiatives, we are doing it.

“We are totally committed to becoming the UK’s greenest wine company and, if we can’t achieve that, then to becoming the greenest business we possibly can.

“We are not however being entirely selfless. There are sound commercial reasons for achieving the lowest possible carbon minus footprint, not least in terms of enhanced capital allowances.

“I believe it won’t be long before every business will have to demonstrate a genuine commitment to being environmentally friendly or risk alienating a generation of potential customers.”