Davenports submits plans for second craft beer bar in Birmingham
BIRMINGHAM-based brewer Davenports has revealed details of its second new craft beer and cocktail bar in the city.
The latest scheme involves the refurbishment of a disused bank in Moseley.
Davenports, now owned by Empire Star, revealed details of its new strategy earlier this month when it unveiled plans to convert a former police station at The Big Peg in the Jewellery Quarter.
The scheme is the beginning of an ambitious plan by the brewery to grow a 50-strong network of bars around the region over the next five years.
To support the plan, it has secured investment of £10m to enable it to develop the new bars, the first two of which – the Big Peg and now Moseley – have also received £100,000 match funding from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund.
Both bars will be operated under another of the well-known brands within the Empire Star portfolio, Dares.
The original Dares Southend Brewery was located on Belgrave Road, Balsall Heath, and dates back to 1927. It was acquired by Davenports in 1962 but has been dormant for many years.
A key part of the investment strategy is to rekindle the various Empire Star brands to capitalise on the current popularity of craft beers.
Davenports has now submitted plans to Birmingham City Council to convert the former HSBC bank at 97-99 Alcester Road, Moseley.
In its submission it states the venue would be much more than a cafe/bar, rather a meeting place for the local business and residential community.
Where this scheme differs from the first project is the provision of so-called “boutique rooms” where the venue will be able to offer guests accommodation on its top two floors.
“97-99 Alcester Road’s Aim is to provide a community and business meeting place to reinvigorate the area at the heart of Moseley,” states the application’s supporting statement.
The scheme will have to overcome any restrictions imposed by Moseley’s conservation area status.
However, Davenports is keen on the location because it wants to target urban villages as ideal locations for its new bars.
Its plan is to initially open six of the venues this year with the others set to follow over the next five years.
The company is currently mounting a recruitment drive to attract the staff it needs for the new venues but has not placed a figure on the number of vacancies.
