THE only UK design awards to recognise improvements in commercial data saw a York-based agency walk away as a winner.

LazenbyBrown, based in The Shambles, was named a winner in the Design Business Association’s Design Effectiveness Awards for the rebrand project it developed for independent brewery Rudgate.

The rebrand undertaken by LazenbyBrown, which included a redesign of Rudgate's brand of cask and bottled beers, resulted in the Tockwith-based brewery seeing turnover rise by 22 per cent as sales of its bottled beer range increased by 200 per cent.

The project also resulted in the brand being stocked in 104 additional independent stores, and major supermarkets Tesco and Sainsbury’s.

The business has also lunched a new mini-keg product which contributed to an extra £57,000 to turnover, the recruitment of two extra employees and the launch of two new beers.

Mat Lazenby, of LazenbyBrown, said: "We are thrilled to have been selected for this award which is a particular accolade as it is the only award UK Design Award which recognises the bottom line effectiveness of design in commercial terms.

"We have developed a very holistic relationship with the team at Rudgate and it is very rewarding to see the design work we have developed for them having a measurable, positive impact on the business."