A COUNCILLOR is raising a glass to a new plan for a micropub to boost the evening variety for visitors in a town centre.

The proposal is to turn a former beauty salon into a tiny ‘real ale’ focussed bar on Union Road, Oswaldtwistle.

The planning application for ‘The Vault’ transforming what was once the premises of ‘Be(you)tiful’ has been made by Ian Goddard of Team G Vaults, a company specially created for the venture.

Oswaldtwistle councillor Peter Britcliffe said: “This is great news.

“It’s lovely to hear of a new pub opening rather than one closing.

“It will add to the variety of evening life in Oswaldtwistle.

“It will open a new niche in it and rather than compete with existing more traditional pubs, it will complement them and make the town as destination for discerning drinkers and beer lovers.

“I hope the application is approved. This is just what Oswaldtwistle and Hyndburn need.”

A spokeswoman for Team G Vaults, based at the town’s Stop and Rest pub on Fielding Lane, said: “Proposals are at an early stage but we have a licence for the premises, which are not trading, from noon to 10pm.

“It’s about adding variety to what’s on offer in the town, not competing with existing more traditional pubs.

“Micropubs are very popular at the moment and this will be very much a real ale focussed establishment.

“The premises were available and we think this type of small, friendly bar really has a future.

The application for the end-terrace property requires no major structural work to the building.

The company plans to employ two staff in the ground floor bar.

The layout of the interior will change, partitions will be removed, a bar area and benched seating will be erected and dispense equipment installed.

CCTV will be installed covering both internal and external areas of the premises. There will be external lighting in the form of one city lantern with a low energy bulb.