ONLINE white goods company DRL, which has a multi-million pound turnover, was set up following a bet in the pub.

But boss John Roberts did not bet on winning the coveted Business of the Year trophy at the Bolton and Bury Business Awards.

Mr Roberts said: “I am absolutely delighted. It’s fantastic for all the team who have shown dedication and worked hard over the last 12 months.”

The retailer has grown from a humble beginning to now employing around 240 people at its head office in Horwich.

Mr Roberts added: “Winning this award will give them a big lift, which they well deserve. We employ around 1,000 people at our site in Horwich and distribution centre in Radcliffe.”

DRL Limited was founded in May, 2000, by white goods retailer John Roberts and web designer Alan Latchford.

Mr Latchford bet his friend he would not do anything about his idea, but Mr Roberts proved him wrong by coming up with a business plan — and the pair went into business.

Five years later, Mr Latchford had to leave the business for health reasons, leaving Mr Roberts to take DRL from strength to strength single-handedly.

After spending four years proving the business model with two successful kitchen appliance websites, he took the next big leap and began operating white label websites for other major retailers.

In 2004, Sainsbury’s became DRL’s first client, followed over the next six years by Boots, Marks & Spencer, Next, Debenhams, House of Fraser, Screwfix, Empire Direct, Argos and B&Q.

Now DRL provides a full solution, from white label websites to supply and distribution, and in 2009 DRL bought out Expert Logistics so it could have its own dedicated delivery fleet.

The Business of the Year Award is sponsored by CLB Coopers Accountants.