Member Article

Green light for brewery plan at Staffordshire community pub

Plans for a new brewery at a community run Staffordshire pub have won planning approval.

The Rural Brewing Company is planning to set up home at the White Hart Hotel, Alton. Planning permission was granted at a meeting of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council’s planning committee.

The Rural Brewing Company, run by Alton resident Rob Goodley, has struck an agreement with the White Hart Community Interest Company which will see outbuildings at the historic inn transformed into a brewery with a capacity to produce up to 2,000 litres of beer every three weeks.

The White Hart Community Interest Company will invest in the fabric of the building, while Rural Brewing will kit-out the brewery, which will have around 90 sq. m. of indoor space. The plan involves development of a glass-fronted brewhouse, allowing visitors to the White Hart to see the brewing process.

Tom Wilkinson, chair of the White Hart Community Interest Company, said: “We can’t wait to welcome Rural Brewing to its new home. We already have a fantastic relationship with Rob and sell his beers in the pub.

“Rob’s business needs space to grow and, as a community run pub, we are keen to support an enterprising Alton business owner.

“His beers are excellent and go down well with customers at the White Hart”. The White Hart inn was bought by villagers after being put up for sale by pub chain Marston’s in 2014.

A Community Interest Company was established to run the pub and neighbouring allotments.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nigel Howle .