Corks Out have recently applied for a variation of their existing premises licence to enable them to sell alcohol for consumption on the premises and for structural alterations to the front of the premises at 73 London Road.
The application was discussed at the Parish Council meeting yesterday where concern was raised about the independent wine merchants "just making it another bar" and the councillors decided they would oppose the application on the grounds of change of use.
I caught up with Ruth Yates today, who started the family run business in 2003, to find out more about their plans. Ruth told me "Our wines are of premium quality, and we have the utmost respect for the community in which we retail. We regularly hold evening wine tastings in the store and our reason for this application is to allow us to extend the tasting concept within the boundaries of the licensing laws.
"We would like to be able to serve our customers with modest 175ml glasses of wine from a limited menu of 6-8 options. Our intention is to provide an education in good quality wine for our customers, complementing our offering to our retail trade. Prices charged and products offered will be commensurate with the higher end of the market. We believe this will bring wine enthusiasts from around the North West into the village. This concept will be operational while the shop is open, and in reality will close no later than 9pm in the evening.
"We have done it at our Chester store and it is very low key and quality customers appreciate the fact that they can enjoy a different style of wine than the regular offerings, and also that we are on hand to offer an educational point of view on it. Each week the wines will be themed to create an interest in the subject rather than the drink."
Ruth added "We must stress, that we are not seeking to convert Corks Out into a bar; we simply are trying to enhance the opportunity for locals and visitors to taste wine in the environment of our store."
The Public Site Notice makes reference to the licensing hours of 09.00 to 23.00 Monday to Saturday, these are the current licence hours and have apparently been in place since 73 London Road was a bar/restaurant, prior to it becoming Oddbins.
Interested parties can make a representation regarding this application in writing to the Licensing Officer at Cheshire East Council, Westfields, Middlewich Road, Sandbach, CW11 1MZ.
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Corks Out recently won a national award for Neighbourhood Retailer of the Year, this was due to the way in which Corks Out help and service the local community of each of it's stores, as well as its sensible approach to responsible drinking and the charitable efforts and support given. This concept will offer customers the opportunity to learn more about what they drink and the education and appreciation of quality wine.
As of today, they have an outside seating area, as well as three sets of tables and chairs just inside the front of the store.
They have two Enomatic machines on order, like vending machines for wine, which should arrive in 4-5 weeks but in the meantime they have a menu of wines you can order by the glass or you can buy any bottle to consume on the premises for a £3.50 corkage charge.