New '˜high end' bar in Poulton gets go ahead despite concerns from residents

Preston-based Inns and Leisure Ltd is set to open Stocks and Shillings in the former NatWest bank in Market Place, opposite the famous old stocks, after councillors sitting on Wyre’s licensing committee gave the bid their approval at a meeting on Tuesday evening.

Despite the firm’s intentions to make the venue a ‘high end’ establishment with sofas, a mezzanine floor, and alternative food such as tapas, some residents in the historic market town said no new bars or pubs were needed.

Stocks and Shillings will open from 10am until 1.30am on Fridays and Saturdays, and from 10am until 12.30am from Sunday to Thursday, council papers said.

It would sell booze and play music until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, and until midnight from Sunday to Thursday.

Inns and Leisure Ltd, which runs the successful Old Town Hall real ale pub across the road, declined to comment when approached in May.

A call to the company was also not returned yesterday.