CHEERS!

Plans for a new pub at Harwich’s redundant bus station have been given the green light .

Paul Mellor, owner of Harwich Town Brewing Company, applied to convert the old building, in Station Approach, into more brewing space, a pub and an off-licence.

Now Tendring Council has approved the change of use of the building to part general industry and part drinking establishment.

“I am chuffed to bits the plans have been approved – that is the future of the company secured and our expansion is underway,” said Mr Mellor.

“We are very pleased.

There will also now be one full-time job and a part-time job created as a re sult – a brewing assistant and someone to man the shop.

“We have to purchase the lease now from First buses and are in the process of setting up a limited company to do so.”

Mr Mellor will then set his sights on getting the expanded brewery up and running, and said the building needed little work to make it ready for use.

The pub will offer craft beers, real ales and ciders on Friday nights, weekends and during special events such as the annual Harwich Ale Trail.

The off-licence will sell a range of craft beers, real ales, ciders and wines.

He hopes the new pub will be ready in time for the International Shanty Festival in October .

The bus station was closed in December 2013 and has been empty since.