Specialist beer shop in Bury which stocks around 300 ales plans bar expansion to cater for up to 35 drinkers

A specialist drinks shop and bar in Bury is planning to expand into a next door unit to allow more space for people to have a drink on the premises.

Beer business Keg, Cask & Bottle currently has a shop and small drinking area at its unit in the Longfield Centre in Prestwich but wishes to grow to allow for a capacity of around 35 customers.

The business stocks more than 300 ‘carefully curated’ beers from the UK and around the world, for shoppers to take home or sample in the tasting room for a small corkage fee.

A planning application lodged this week with Bury Council says the bar now wishes to expand its premises into the next door unit, which used to be Breakfast at Claire’s. That unit has been vacant since October 2021.

What are Keg, Cask & Bottle’s plans?

The planning document said: “Keg, Cask & Bottle has occupied the adjacent Unit 7 since June 2019. We currently operate as a specialist beer and drinks merchant and tasting room. A small seating area is provided for customers to use while sampling products.

“The on-site consumption of products has proved successful, and we are looking to utilise the adjacent vacant unit as a dedicated space for on-site consumption with the existing unit remaining as retail space.

“This will require the creation of two openings within the existing party wall. It is anticipated that the additional space will have room to accommodate approximately 30 to 35 people seated.

“A new premises licence has already been granted by Bury Council and an extension of the existing pavement license has been given tacit consent by Bury highways.”

The current shop has a rotating line up of keg beers and cask ales, their website promising ‘the best the UK and international brewing scenes have to offer’. As well beer and cider they stock spirits, with a focus on those locally produced, canned cocktails and wine.

The proposed hours of trading would be noon until 8pm on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, noon until 9pm on Wednesday and Thursday and 11am until 10pm on Friday and Saturday. Planners at Bury Council will now decide on the application.