A popular Newcastle micropub will be allowed to launch a new venue in Heaton, after winning the support of city decision-makers.
Newcastle City Council has backed plans for the Town Mouse Ale House to open a second branch on Heaton Road, following the success of its award-winning city centre site. Councillors agreed to grant a licence for the new venture despite the concerns of one objector, who claimed last week that the area was at risk of becoming a “drinking strip” similar to Jesmond’s Osborne Road.
But the council’s licensing sub-committee concluded that the 60-capacity micropub’s size, prices, and customer demographic meant it was unlikely to become a “high-volume drinking establishment”. Heaton ward councillor John-Paul Stephenson welcomed the decision and said the worries about the new Town Mouse “profoundly misunderstood” its aims – saying that “ a micropub is not where people get trollied”.
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Coun Stephenson told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Heaton is becoming more and more vibrant - a great place to live and visit. I’m delighted that we have another high quality micropub which residents and visitors can enjoy.”
He added: “As a former cabinet member for public health, excessive alcohol is concerning, of course, but the biggest difference we can make is to campaign for minimum unit pricing; micropubs sell premium beer at premium prices.”
Solicitor Sarah Smith, representing the Town Mouse, at a licensing hearing last week said the new site would replicate the style of the St Mary’s Place venue, but would also be able to host small functions and events such as beer tastings. The original Town Mouse has been named as Newcastle CAMRA’s pub of the year several times since opening in 2017.
Ms Smith said that objections from Hamish Moore, whose business is based in Heaton, were “unfounded and unsupported by evidence”. Mr Moore aired fears about the impact of opening a drinking spot close to a school and churches, having also recently opposed the opening of nearby Flight Bar.
But, in its decision notice, the committee concluded that his concerns should not be given significant weight because no objections were made by any local residents or other institutions.
The committee said: “Committee noted the background of the operators and their successful operation of another premises within the city centre. They also noted the style of operation which was intended to be brought to the premises, including its size, small capacity, alcohol offering, relatively high price point and anticipated customer demographic.
“For these reasons, committee concluded they did not believe this premises was likely to become a high-volume drinking establishment. Furthermore, committee noted the letters of support presented by the Applicant, including from Coun John-Paul Stephenson, local residents and nearby business owners.”
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