Blackburn craft micropub plan for empty suburban shop

Gary Doyle wants to covert the retail unit in Blackburn's Holly Tree Shopping Parade in Livesey into a cosy licensed premises.

It would be run by him and his brother with a capacity of 50 customers.

The proposed Hollytree Tap micropub would serve local-brewed craft beers and lagers and traditional cold bar snacks.

Mr Doyle has applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council for the conversion of the shop in Pinewood, Livesey, with the installation of a bar and the creation of a beer cellar (cold room) to the rear.

A statement from Mr Doyle says: "The need for a micropub like the Hollytree Tap in this location is rooted in the area’s clear demand for a welcoming, community-oriented space that offers something different from traditional pubs or chain bars.

"The premises offer a unique opportunity to repurpose an underused unit, almost three years empty, into a vibrant social hub, helping to support the local economy and encourage footfall in the area.

"By remaining local, the Hollytree Tap can foster meaningful relationships, provide a relaxed alternative to loud, late-night venues, and become an integral part of daily life for residents.

"The pub's ethos is rooted in the community that surrounds it, offering a place for people to come and socialise with local residents and make new friends.

"The Hollytree Tap will foster social interaction through quiz nights, bingo, and relaxed gatherings, offering customers a chance to escape the stresses of everyday life and leave with a sense of belonging.

"We would be buying in and selling craft beers and lagers from local breweries, which would make us different from other places in the area.

"Although capacity is at 50, we would anticipate visitors at most to be around 30 to 40 during weekend times and less during the week.

"Our hours of operation are for seven days: Monday to Thursday 2pm to 10pm; Friday 2pm to 11pm; Saturday 12pm to 11pm; and Sunday 12pm to 9pm.

"The micropub will have a calm, relaxed atmosphere, with background music played at a low volume to enhance the ambience without causing any disturbance outside the premises.

"While we occasionally like to host small-scale live music performances, these would be acoustic or low-key and scheduled during earlier hours to avoid any late-night impact.

"The bar will be owned by my brother and I, who live in the area.

"We will mostly work there and employ extra staff during busier periods, typically weekends.

"The proposed micropub is intended as a place for a quiet drink with friends and family, rather than a noisy party environment."