Brewery shelves plans for new venue

A Birmingham brewery has ditched plans to open a bar at a Grade II listed building in Walsall, because of residents’ fears over noise pollution.

Highgate Brewery has shelved its idea for a Tap House at the venue – nominally called the Highgate Brewery Culture and Events Centre – at the 19th century building on Sandymount Road, saying it has “become aware of mounting objections and concerns by local residents with regards to the proposed plans”.

An online petition against the plans was set up earlier this month with residents saying that inreased traffic, late night drinking and noise from the bar would disturb them.

In a statement, Highgate Brewey said: “The owners of Highgate Brewery have always had the best interests of the community they serve at the heart of their business. For many years, the Brewery employed local people and also enjoyed support from the ‘Friends of Highgate Brewery’.

“Since submitting the application for the Tap House, they have become aware of mounting objections and concerns by local residents with regards to the proposed plans. Having listened to those objections, the board has decided to withdraw their application with immediate effect as they will no longer be able to run a viable business from the site. It would be pointless progressing with a plan that clearly is unacceptable to the people that Highgate Brewery had hoped would embrace, and enjoy the Tap House.

“Highgate Brewery will make no further statement with regards to the withdrawal of the application.”