Pair behind plans for Quirky Victorian-era ‘bier shoppe’ explain vision for Ormskirk venue

Nov 1 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

A QUIRKY Victorian-era beer shop with a sawdust floor and up to 300 ales from around the world could soon be coming to the streets of Ormskirk.

Andrew Brocken, of the Burscough Brewery Company, has spoken to the Advertiser about the proposed new venue after plans were submitted to West Lancs council.

Mr Brocken has teamed up with Mike McCombe, landlord of the Hop Vine, for a new venture offering beers for the discerning drinker.

The pair want to set up the Hop Inn Bier Shoppe on Burscough Street, on the site of the former Drapers card shop.

Similar in scope to the Inn Beer Shop on Southport’s Lord Street, the venue would offer a range of beers that punters could choose to drink on premises or take home with them.

And Mr Brocken believes it would offer something different to other venues in the town and draw people in from across the borough.

He said: “It’s going to be a nice place to go, it won’t just cater for the discerning drinker but also for couples, groups of friends. It will be nicely fitted out with a great atmosphere. We’re going for a Victorian-era pub feel.

“The front of the shop will be black timber with quirky designs and picked out gold lettering, and we’ll have ‘beer emporium’ printed on the window.

“We’d really like to have sawdust on the floor too, depending on health and safety legislation.”

The plans submitted to the council are for a 10am-midnight licence. Initially the shop would offer around 50 bottled beers ranging from Trappist beers from Belgium and Holland to Czech and American lagers and Lambic beers – brewed without adding yeast.

There would also be a mix of cask ales – including guest beers and ones from the Burscough Brewery – and premium European lagers available on tap.

Mr Brocken said: “It won’t be a late night venue, the type of people we’re looking to attract won’t be out until 2am, it’s for people who enjoy a good quality beer. We’re hoping if everything goes well – and the plans are approved – to be open by Christmas.”