Graham Newbury and Tansy Harrison are hoping to transform the disused carpet shop located on London Road in Stoke into a brand new micropub the ‘London Road Ale House’.
The couple have great knowledge and experience in the industry after running a traditional pub in Hartshill for three years, the Red Lion, and also opened their own award winning micropub in Newcastle just last year, the Bridge Street Ale House.
Graham said: “When we opened the first pub, it exceeded all of our expectations. Our plan all along was to expand and open other micropubs as well. We looked all over but I knew there would be demand there as there are three real ale pubs but nothing like a micropub.
“Our pub will be a little bit different, a bit quirky. I’m hoping that we can be up and running by Christmas.”
Two full-time and one part-time job will be created after council officers approved a change of use plan.”
However, not all residents agree with the proposal, local resident Lillian Dulson said: “I do not want another pub near my home. We had a lot of anti-social behaviour from O’Leary’s pub which has now closed down, and we still get it from Our Bar across the road.”
Although not all locals agree with this view. Levan Clarke lives next to the site and does not see the micropub bringing any issues to the area, he said:””I do not want another pub near my home. We had a lot of anti-social behaviour from O’Leary’s pub which has now closed down, and we still get it from Our Bar across the road.”
David Elkington, from Hanley Police Station, said: “The micro-pub concept seems well removed from the volume, vertical-drinking establishments where the majority of licensed premises problems arise.
“According to our licensing department no incidents have been recorded at the Bridge Street Ale House since it opened.”