Latest update on plans to open new Churchills micropub in Carleton

Ambitious proposals for a new micropub in Carleton with an ‘old-style London pub theme’ and unusual range of lagers are still planned to move forward – despite a legal hold-up.

Local restaurateur Garfield Hession says new bar Churchills is still earmarked for the front part of the H Wood French Polishers building, on the corner of Blackpool Road and Poulton Road.

The French polishers business is continuing to operate but has relocated to the rear of the building.

The project first took a major step forwards last year when a premises licence for the micropub enterprise was granted by licensers at Wyre Council.

Now the scheme is awaiting planning permission from council planners after an application was lodged in early December last year.

However, progress has been stalled for the past six months over questions concerning the ownership of the forecourt outside.

Lancashire County Council believes it is the owner of the forecourt but Mr Hession, who owns the nearby Suda Thai Restaurant and Takeaway, is adamant that it is privately owned.

He said this week: “The matter is currently in the hands of our solicitors who are liaising with Lancashire County Council.

“We had a similar situation when we were opening the Suda restaurant and we were able to successfully prove that the forecourt outside belonged to us.

“I am equally confident we will be able to that is the case with Churchills as well.

“This is the only matter which is currently holding us up, all the other planning boxes have been ticked and once it has been resolved I am confident we will be given planning permission and the be able to finally push on with our plans.”

Traditional pub features

Mr Hession is planning the new bar project with his partner, Barbara Bentley.

He said previously: “Barbara will be managing the day-to-day operation of Churchills. She has owned and worked in Bentleys Nail & Beauty Salon, Thornton, for the past thirteen years and is now more than ready for a new challenge.

“With Barbara previously having run pubs in London, all the new housing developments arising in Carleton & Norcross along with us living within close proximity to the location, it seemed an ideal opportunity which was far too good to miss.”The venue itself will have an old-style London pub theme with traditional hard-wood bar, brass handles, dark-wood wall-panelling and a mixture of fixed leather seating and high tables and chairs.

It is also hoped to accommodate a log-burner, which will be situated within the pub’s dog-friendly area.Garfield says a special feature of the bar will include a glass partition, through which customers will be able to see the workings of the cellar.

At the front, there will be lush hanging baskets and retractable doors which will open fully so customers can sit on the westerly facing forecourt and enjoy our varied drinks menu in the sun.

There are plans for some cask-ales, sourced from local breweries.

Mr Hession says work will begin in earnest once the planning applicant has been addressed and approved.

If plans get the go ahead, Churchills will be a neighbour to another new licenced premises which opened last year, cafe bar Gilberts.

The site is across the road road from long-established pub and diner the Castle Gardens.