New Matlock micro pub approved

The former Cafe Central in Smedley Street, Matlock, is to be transformed following a decision by members of Derbyshire Dales District Council.

Stanley’s Alehouse is to be run by husband and wife team Michael and Michalene McMaster, of Bumpmill Brewery, in Shirland.

Michalene said: “My husband and I own a micro brewery which has been very succesful and the next step is an outlet in which beers that we do ourselves can be sold, but also to showcase lots of really good Derbyshire micro breweries.

“It will be a very traditional ale house.”

She said the micro pub would featureDerbyshire ales, real ciders and good quality wines as well as soft drinks and teas and coffees.

“The lagers we are going to have will be bottled lagers,” Michalene added, “and we will try and get some unusual ones that you don’t normally see.

“We are also looking to do things like a cheese board using locally produced cheeses and pickles – the kind of things that complement beer.

“Our main focus is that we are providing good quality drinks, locally sourced for local people and it will be somewhere people can have a chat – there will not be a television or a loud juke box.”

She said she hoped the micro pub would be open in the third week of June.

“We have got to build a bar and at the moment there is only one toilet, so we will be building another one,” Michalene added.

She said real ale has recently become more popular with more and more drinkers choosing it over lager.

“Micro pubs are getting more and more popular as well with the economy, landlords are struggling to fill large pubs, so if you have got a small pub where it’s just one room it makes it more cosy,” Michalene said.