Planners grant permission for village pub to set up its own microbrewery
PLANNERS have given a green light to plans for a village pub to carry on with a microbrewery business set up as a sideline to help the pub recover from the coronavirus lockdowns.
The owners of the Greyhound Inn, in Warslow, asked the Peak District National Park Authority for retrospective permission to create a timber outbuilding to house a microbrewery which would support the pub, and cut down on its reliance on deliveries from heavy trucks.
Applicant David Wilson explained in a supporting statement given to the authority’s planning committee that the microbrewery is part of a wider scheme to help the business rebuild following the pandemic, and to lower its carbon footprint.
He said: “In 2019 my wife, mother and father in-law and myself took over the running of our village pub The Greyhound Inn in Leek Road, Warslow as a free house to rebuild the community and to create local jobs.
“The past 10 years had seen uncertainty with various managers and closures.
“By the end of 2020 we had seven villagers working for us. In 2021 Covid-19 took hold of our industry forcing closure across hospitality. Sadly we didn’t qualify for furlough, never the less continued running as a takeaway.
“In the early part of the 18 month restriction and lockdown to hospitality we also set up “Peak District Beers” a business designed to support 10 local micro breweries through lockdown.
“Our own micro brewery was always part of our future plans. I approached my father, a retired policeman/brewing enthusiast and we decided that now would be a good time to establish a micro brewery as part of our ‘Covid recovery plan’.”
Mr Wilson says he also wants to convert an existing store shed located within the grounds of the walled area at the rear of the Greyhound Inn into part of the micro brewery.
The beer he produces would primarily supply his pub, but it would also ensure the carbon footprint is reduced, by having fewer deliveries from breweries such as Marston’s in 30-ton lorries which currently have to navigate the minor roads.
He said: “We also plan to employ some more local people again, cutting our village carbon footprint and reducing vehicle travel for staff.
“Largely the other reason for choosing now to set up a micro brewery is the cost of utilities and alcoholic beverages is set to increase next spring, putting the pub and community hub in larger risk of closure.
“The vast majority of visitors to the pub are local and this may push the prices beyond affordable.
“Brewing our own beer would ensure we keep a cap on prices and produce something local made in the Peak District. We are also set to do several collaborations with other local businesses.
“We believe using such techniques as traditional brewing will protect the future heritage of our village pub, Circa 1750.” The planning committee approved Mr Wilson’s plans, to house a micro brewery for small scale brewing and store, with conditions.
The conditions include a stipulation that the accommodation approved must be ancillary to the operation of the Greyhound Inn and must not be used or occupied independently from it and within six months from the date of the decision.
The external walls, windows and doors of the building must be painted in a warm grey colour and must remain maintained throughout the lifetime of the development.
Planners said that the reason for the conditions was to protect the amenity of the occupiers and operators of the Greyhound Inn, and to ensure that the development continues to support a community facility – which formed part of the reason for approving the development.