New cocktail bar planned for Stafford's riverside

Pear Bars has lodged an application to the borough council and vowed to plough £100,000 into the development should it be approved.

The firm, based in Stone, has taken over the lease of the units 1 to 3 Riverside, formerly shops and directly below the council offices and has entered a proposal to 'change the use' of the premises to a drinking establishment.

It would be located on the same stretch as the swanky Revolution bar which opened this time last year creating dozens of jobs.

The town 's night-life has been boosted in recent months by the announcement that a trendy wine bar called Verso Lounge is coming to Staffordshire Place.

While historic landmark Chetwynd House, formally the Post House, has re-opened as a cocktail bar called The Apothecary and the former Hogshead in Victoria Square re-opened as the Living Room bar and restaurant.

Pear Bars say this new venue will employ more than ten people.

It would open up until 1am Monday to Thursday, 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and midnight on Sundays while an outdoor seating area would be created.

Managing director Daniel Beaman said: "We are looking at creating a trendy and polished sort of look. The bar will specialise in gin and will have a cocktail lounge while we be having live music at the weekends.

"It will be like Revolution but more modern and upmarket. We like the location because of the river as well as the cinema coming opposite and just thought Stafford would be a good place to invest."

Stafford Borough Councillor Christine Baron, who represents that area of the town, said: "Personally I am not that keen on a lot of bars but having said that if its what the people want then why not.

"It would concentrate all of the drinking places in one particular area which seems to make sense for security purposes, that they are all together."

While the Forebridge ward member welcomed a new upmarket nightspot for the Riverside area she stressed it was important the other end of town was not neglected.

She added: "This is good for the night-time economy but it is the day-time economy I am concerned about now while I would like to see developers come to the north end of town."

Planning documents state: "Pear Bars Ltd have taken over the lease for units 1-3 Riverside Stafford, with the intention of gaining planning permission for change of use from Class A1 to A4 and create an external seating area directly outside the units.

"This aims to refurbish the existing vacant retail units to become a drinking establishment.

"Pear Bars Ltd propose to spend around £100,000 on the vacant site which will improve the overall enhancement of the area and assist with the rejuvenation that is currently taking place."