AN AWARD-WINNING husband-and-wife-owned craft ale brewery could soon be opening its own micropub in Whitchurch. 

Magic Dragon Brewing, owned by Richard and Liz Lever, has re-applied for a change of use for 10 Mill Street.

They plan to convert the shop into a cask ale and craft beer bar/micropub.

The re-submitted application comes after a previous bid to install the pub was refused by Shropshire Council in April this year over concerns raised by nearby residents over noise and disturbance, with planning officers stating not enough information was supplied to combat this.

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They hope that permission will be granted so they can open the bar just before Christmas and will be serving Magic Dragon ale, craft beer and lager brewed at The Plassey near Bangor-on-Dee.

The bar will also stock a small range of cider, lager, wine, spirits and low/no alcohol beers.

Co-owner Richard Lever said: “We already have a bar in Wrexham called Magic Dragon Brewery Tap, in Charles Street which has just won Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Pub of Wales 2023.

“It has also been listed in the Good Beer Guide three years in a row.

“We have our fingers crossed that it will be approved, we’ve had lots of support from people in the town who were disappointed when planning was refused and we couldn't go ahead with the project.”

His co-owner and wife, Liz Lever, added: “We really want to build on the success of our bar in Wrexham and provide the growing town of Whitchurch with a craft ale bar that is a friendly, safe space for everyone. “

The brewery created a new beer, especially for Blackberry Fair, a Blackberry Porter which was sold in the Black Bear and The Wheatsheaf.

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According to the application submitted to Shropshire Council by Magic Dragon, the owners have come up with a seven-point plan to address issues around noise.

This includes implementing all recommendations from the noise assessment; asking customers to be quiet when leaving ort stepping outside the premises; the installation of a noise lobby and limiter; a complaints procedure; no live music after 11pm and will also implement any other council recommendations.

They added: “Please note the flat upstairs is no longer applicable as we are the occupiers, and this is now linked with the premises.”

Consultation closes on the proposal on Monday, November 6 – to comment, search 23/04409/FUL at Shropshire Council’s planning portal.