Town centre planners mulling over ‘micro pub’
PLANS have been unveiled for a ‘micro pub’ celebrating local brews in Rawtenstall town centre.
A planning application has been submitted for a change of use at 70 Bank Street, creating four jobs.
The applicant said the building would specialise in the sale of locally produced beers and ciders.
In the application design and access statement, Andy Morris said the former ladies clothing shop had been vacant since September 2015, and that neither premises on either side are used for residential purposes.
He said: “The intended use, subject to the necessary permissions being issued, is as a Micro Pub specialising in the sale of local artisan and craft brewed real ales and ciders of which there is now a wide variety and worthy of celebrating.
“This particular genre of the licensed trade market is not currently very well served in the town and it is expected that such an offer will attract not only local people but also a much wider interest from the ale and cider enthusiast.
“It is not anticipated that any additional measures are necessary to ameliorate any noise generated inside the building.”
All three floors of the building would be used for the micro pub, with the basement serving as the ale and cider handling facility, while the first and second floor would be used for a bar servery and seating for customers.
The applicant also intends to create a outdoor customer seating area.
The Free Press revealed in April that a micro brewery, wine bar and cinema were all being discussed as part of the second wave of a £20 million regeneration plan for Rawtenstall town centre.
Rossendale council leader Coun Alyson Barnes said: “There’s immense scope for more places to eat and drink in Rawtenstall. That’s what we’re looking for, anything that contributes to bringing more people into the town centre in the evening would be welcome, but we will have to wait and see what planning thinks.”
David Gould, from Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce, said: “It’s a new offering and it’s something that we don’t currently have in the town.
“I know it’s been talked about, these types of place work very well in other areas like Ramsbottom so why not?”