“I am not interested in running a pub, I am interested in people experiencing beer,” says the owner of a new craft ale house hoping to open on the Isle of Wight.
Island Life Craft Brewery has cleared the first hurdle in its attempts to bring a new ale house to East Cowes, after the Isle of Wight Council’s licensing sub-committee today (Wednesday) granted it permission to serve alcohol there.
Before it can officially open, it first needs to obtain planning permission.
Noise mitigating factors agreed
At today’s committee meeting, concerns had been raised by a nearby resident who said loud noise would impact and disrupt neighbours and businesses in the area.
Environmental health officers said they understood the concerns, but had worked with the applicant, Glenn Johnson, to agree mitigating factors which would reduce the likelihood of noise nuisance.
They included the installation of sound insulation, not allowing drinks outside, and prominent signs at the exit to encourage customers to be quiet when leaving.
Craft ale houses tend to be calmer
Mr Johnson said it was easy to say the establishment would be another pub, but most craft ale houses don’t sell the basic beers and they tend to be more calm.
He said craft ale was interesting, like a sweetshop with small amounts of different beer to try, not copious amounts of lager and spirits.
Mr Johnson said,
“I’m not opening this ale house because I want a rowdy establishment.
“I love brewing beer and I want people to experience it.”
Change of use still required
Concerns still remained about how sound insulation could be installed in the listed building and whether it would be sufficient enough to stop noise coming in.
Mr Johnson said he still needed to submit a planning application to officially change the use of the former shop into an ale house, so it may not happen although it would be a shame if it did not.
Moving out from back of house
The brewery currently operates from the back room of a house further down the road, but is looking to expand into what used to be the Old Curiosity Shop.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: josh olalde under CC BY 2.0
