Micropub plans for part of Royal Mail premises in Northamptonshire

Gavin Wooding has applied for a change of use so he can open a micropub in part of the Royal Mail sorting and delivery office in College Street, Rushden.

Rushden Youth Project had used this part of the building until it relocated in January 2013 and the unit became vacant.

If the application for change of use is granted, Stop4.Beer will operate the site as a freehouse named The Hopmaster General and it is planned that it will open to the public in late summer.

Products typically on sale would include a range of bottled and canned real ales and craft beers, bottled ciders, rotation of cask and keg real aleas, craft beers and ciders, house red and white wine and non-alcoholic bottled and canned drinks.

Bar snacks could include local cheeses, jerky, pretzels and other baked goods.

Documents submitted as part of the application state: “The primary aim of the venture is to bring choice to the consumers of Northamptonshire through the availability of a range of craft beverage products and will differentiate itself from other local businesses in this manner.”

The property is currently unused and some internal decoration and repair is required if the micropub plans come to fruition.

If approved, there will be a bar and customer service area with seating for up to 60 people in the main open plan space and a contemporary design throughout.

Mr Wooding has applied for a change of use from sui generis to a combined use of A1 and A4 at the Rushden Delivery Office in College Street.

The combined use should allow for consumption on the premises and a bottleshop for consumption off the premises.

For more details on the plans, which will be considered by East Northants Council, search for 16/00758/FUL on the authority’s planning page via www.east-northamptonshire.gov.uk.