'Smallest pub in Derby' The Little Chester Ale House throws open its doors to the locals
THE "smallest pub in Derby" has opened for business – and has converted locals who had protested against the initial idea.
The Little Chester Ale House is a micro-pub – a "slimmed down" type of inn which eschews many modern conveniences and drinks in favour of a traditional atmosphere in a smaller building.
Micro-pubs are usually built inside former shops, and this one is no different, as it is housed in a former dry-cleaners.
Initially, locals feared if the pub went ahead it would generate late-night noise and anti-social behaviour.
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But landlord Walter Scott said the Chester Green Road business had already been a hit with drinkers.
Mr Scott, of Wingfield Road, Chaddesden, said: "We opened last weekend and since then it has been really excellent.
"I have had so many people in who have loved it and I've also had people come in who had misconceptions about the kind of place it would be but they have told me they are now happy it is here."
The pub was given planning permission and granted a licence, despite objections from people living in the area.
The bulk of the objections were about potential noise and disturbance from customers, cars moving about the area at night, litter and anti-social behaviour.
There were also concerns about smokers in the street.
Despite the objections, the plans were approved by Derby City Council, with officers saying they were "generally satisfied that the proposed use will have no adverse effect on the special character of the area".
Mr Scott said he was currently stocking five real ales and a cider but that he wanted the range to be constantly changing.
He said: "At the moment, I am stocking ales from Sheffield and North Yorkshire but I want to keep getting new ones in."
Mr Scott said the total cost of opening the business had been £8,500 – more than his initial estimate.
He said: "Before it was a dry-cleaners, the shop sold car parts and there was carpet on the walls as a backdrop.
"I pulled that off and the plaster came with it, so most of the walls needed replastering.
"But it has been totally worth it."
The pub is open from 3pm to 10pm Monday to Friday, and from noon to 10pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Comments
by Walter323
Thursday, November 15 2012, 11:20PM
“I'm Walter and I run the Little Chester Ale House. There will be an everchanging range of ales on and Wentwell will have at least one on at all times. Dianae, everything I do within my establishment is what I set out to do from the start as I tried to explain to the residents association ( all 2 of them ) when I had a meeting with them, but they chose to ignore me. I hope the locals do come in and enjoy the facilities.”
by bib_bob
Thursday, November 15 2012, 4:18PM
“They do sell Derbyshire beer - at least half of the beers on when I've been in are from Wentwell Brewery. Good to see the city's smallest brewer represented in the city's smallest pub!”
by Movg4wdintheQ
Thursday, November 15 2012, 4:02PM
“Excellent! Just one question - Yorkshire ales are good - when will Derbyshire's riches be available, and don't forget a few of the Burton mob!
Wish more pubs would stick to selling good beers, a few spirits (Scotch, gin, brandy), and a few drinkable (not cheap, affordable) wines.
Leave the bingers, vodka-heads and OTT cocktail brigade to the city centre.
More proper local pubs please, it's a social thing.
Good luck!”
by Movg4wdintheQ
Thursday, November 15 2012, 3:51PM
“Only one request - the Yorkshire beers are good but when can we expect Derbyshire ales?
If there's any justice in the world, proper pubs will sell ales, a few quality spirits - scotch, rum, brandy - and a few 'comfortable' wines.
Leave the Vodka-heads and shots nutters to the town centre.
Good luck!”
by RobF11
Thursday, November 15 2012, 12:18PM
“Congrats - great boozer and great to prove the NIMBYs wrong!”
by dianae
Thursday, November 15 2012, 11:42AM
“Good to hear that he appreciates local people - obviously he must have taken into account worries about smokers, noise and parking - and that local people have been telling him what he has got right”