This place in Lancashire has been crowned the North West's independent coffee capital

A place in Lancashire has been voted one of the best independent ones for coffee.

Pendle has been named the independent coffee capital of the North West, with 92.1 per cent of its coffee shops run by independents rather than chains.

It ranks 15th nationally, the highest-placed area in the North West.

The finding comes from new research by Manchester SEO agency Dark Horse, which analysed Food Standards Agency and Food Standards Scotland hygiene-rating records to measure the share of independent coffee shops in local authorities across the UK.

Wigan takes second place on 87 per cent, with 100 of its 115 coffee shops independently run.

Salford completes the regional top three on 86.9 percent, where 86 of its 99 coffee shops are independent.

South Ribble has 86.7 per cent and West Lancashire with 86 per cent.

Across the North West as a whole, 76.2 per cent of coffee shops are independent, close to the 77 per cent UK average.

Chains hold their largest regional share in Cheshire East 35.9 per cent of coffee shops, Preston 35.4 per cent and Cheshire West and Chester 34.8 per cent.

Commenting on the data, Libby Mayfield, Head of Marketing at Dark Horse, said: “Our research found that the UK is home to 32,957 coffee shops, 25,415 of which are independently owned.

“While busy city commuters might rely on the quick predictability of a high street chain, 359 local authorities (out of a total 361) have coffee scenes that are comprised of at least 50% independently run businesses.

“It really goes to show that while convenience has its place, nothing quite beats the warmth of a passionately run local spot.”