The owners of a Durham city centre bar are looking to open a specialist off-licence in the city.
Plans have been lodged to turn a former NHS clinic in Framwellgate Moor into an off-licence and taproom, which will specialise in a range of products including craft beer, fine ciders and gin.
The change of use application has been made by the owners of the real ale and cider pub Station House on North Road.
In a letter to Durham County Council planners, it states: "On a higher focus on off-licence sales, we will still be maintaining a larger, carefully selected range of craft beer, fine ciders, small batch gin, but with a high proportion in small-pack (bottle/can).
"We will also have draught facilities to allow both growler fills (take-away draught products) and some on-site drinking.
"As business owners, our track record is in creating welcoming, comfortable community spaces, providing specialist knowledge of the high-quality products we sell, promoting responsible enjoyment of alcohol and community involvement and interaction.
"We may use the space for events such as tutored tastings, meet the brewers etc."
There will not be a full menu of hot food, but "substantial snacks" and music may be played, and there will be no televisions or gaming machines.
The letter says that despite other pubs being in the area, Framwellgate will not become a "pub crawl", with them each serving different communities and markets.
The letter adds: "In addition, as we like our spaces to be welcoming to all sections of the community, including women and families, we tend to be strict about noise levels, behaviour, and levels of alcohol consumptions, meaning that disruptive or anti-social behaviour is kept to an absolute minimum."
If given the go-ahead, the business will help maintain a "vibrant local high street".
"We are local Durham residents with a proven track record of bringing high-quality products to a discerning local audience, in an atmosphere that promotes responsible drinking and community cohesion", it adds.
"We support other local businesses and charities whenever we can.
"We see an opportunity to expand what we can offer to the residents of Durham that will be of benefit to both Framwellgate Moor in terms of maintaining a vibrant local high street, and the wider Durham community who will have greater access to premium beers, ciders, gins etc that they may not be able to get elsewhere."
