Member Article

New craft ale micropub set to launch in Newcastle city centre

Hull-born Jon Sibley is starting life as a publican with the launch of The Town Mouse Ale House, the latest craft beer venue to burst on to Newcastle’s ever-expanding leisure scene.

Looking to help champion North East microbrewers and their unique beers, The Town Mouse will open on Tuesday (21st Feb) in a basement unit on St Mary’s Place, close to Haymarket in the city centre.

The venue, which was previously a coffee shop, also has an outdoor pavement area and will have room for as many as 50 people.

Launching the Sibley Brewing Company, Mr.Sibley will initially offer four keg and four cask ales, six of which will be from small independent local brewers.

The interior will take inspiration from the traditional ale houses of Belgium and basement pubs from Ireland and Berlin, and the venue will be proudly dog-friendly, with even a special ‘dog brew’ on offer.

“I am a keen home brewer and a beer enthusiast, and to open my own traditional ale house has long been a dream. When I left the University last year, it seemed an ideal time to give it a try and it’s all very exciting,” revealed Jon.

“The quirky name reflects the premises – as it’s a basement unit, it’s dark and cosy – and we want to become known as a welcoming traditional ale house which serves great beers. We are dog friendly and very much have the ethos of a ‘proper pub’.

“A significant proportion of the ales we offer will come from very small brewers within the Tyne and Wear area. There are some great local beers which we are very pleased to help promote.”

The Town Mouse is opening following a five-figure investment in the premises and an initial three new jobs will be created.

Jon has also been backed with a loan from the Start-up Loan Company, secured through Transmit Start-Ups in Gateshead.

Newcastle law firm Sintons has supported Jon with the opening. Real estate specialist Tom Wills handled the negotiation of the commercial lease on the premises, and Sarah Smith, head of licensing, secured the license for The Town Mouse.

Tom Wills said: “The North East is well known for its many independent breweries and their array of locally-produced ales, and The Town Mouse promises to be another gem in the growing portfolio of pubs that showcase them.

“Jon is combining traditional alehouse interior design and his array of handpicked ales with a quirky basement location and memorable brand name – the hallmarks of a successful stand-out venue are all there and we wish him the best of luck with it.”

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