Shropshire brewery plans to expand with small pub and eatery at premises

Stonehouse, at Weston Wharf, already has a small bar available during its daytime open hours.

The brewery als organises pizza afternoon and evenings, on Fridays and Saturdays.

Now the owners have applied for planning permission for an extension to the building, for use as a drinking establishment with a car park, outdoor seating area and first-floor commercial kitchen.

Alison Parr, who runs the brewery with husband, Shane, said the aim was to extend its customer reach.

“At the moment, we are very busy on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon and we would like visitors to be able to come to visit us throughout the week,” she said.

“We don’t open on Sundays and we won’t currently be opening on Sundays, although that might change when the Cambrian Railways arrives at Weston Wharf.

“Our link with Lepone’s Italian restaurant, which supplies our pizzas, is very successful, however, we would like to offer a wider range of food.

“That is why we are applying to build a kitchen. We are looking to do more, rustic, casual eating food.”

“We have a lovely conservatory that we would like to extend so that we can bring the outdoors inside during the bad weather.”

Mindful

Alison said Stonehouse was limiting opening hours to 9pm Monday to Friday and 11pm Saturdays.

“We are mindful that we are in a hamlet and that is why we only want to open until 9pm in the week.”

As well as Stonehouse’s beer and cider, the brewery is also home to Henstone’s gin and vodka.

“We have also just released a batch of bourbon but that has already sold out,” added Mrs Parr.

However, residents have raised some concerns with the application, with two sending in letters of objections to Shropshire Council, both citing possible dangers of extra traffic on Weston Lane.

Daniel Smith, in his letter, says: “The small narrow humped bridge is directly by the brewery’s entrance and is very dangerous and there are no footpaths in the hamlet.

“Walking in the area is extremely dangerous and I fear for my children’s safety.

“I feel the location is wrong for such a development due to space, access and the quiet hamlet.”

Fellow resident David Kessler added: “Weston Road is already very dangerous.

“There have been a number of minor crashes and near misses, property walls and verges bordering the road, including our own, have been repeatedly damaged.

"In fact, the telephone pole near the entrance to our property was knocked down not that long ago, meaning our neighbours and ourselves were inconvenienced as we were without landlines and internet access until it could be fixed.”