Prestwich: Keg, Cask and Bottle expansion plans approved

Keg, Cask and Bottle at the Longfield Centre has been granted approval to expand its premises into a vacant lot formerly occupied by café Breakfast @ Claires.

The shop will be knocked through into the adjoining building, which has been vacant since October 2021, to provide customers with more seating.

The shop, which stocks beers from the UK and beyond, already has a small drinking area but will soon offer seating for 35 customers.

Owner Sam Parker says he has been “blown away” by his businesses’ popularity since it opened in 2019 and says work to expand the place has already begun.

He said: “When we opened Keg, Cask & Bottle three years ago we thought there would be some appetite from the people of Prestwich for good beer, but we have been quite blown away by the response to our business.

“Firstly from the support we received through the pandemic, when we operated as delivery only and then as take out only.

Keg, Cask and Bottle will expand into the former Breakfast at Claire's premises (Image: Newsquest)

“Over the last 12 months we have seen a real demand from people wanting to make the most of our small bar area to enjoy the drinks we offer.

"With currently room for around 18 people, it quickly became clear we needed more space.

“We were in negotiations with Bury Council for most of 2022 to take on the lease of the vacant unit next door to Keg, Cask & Bottle.

"It has took a little longer than we hoped, but we finally have the keys and green light to knock through between the two premises.

“The plan is to retain our existing premises as a shop, allowing more space for people to browse and add additional display space.

“We are creating an opening in the wall between the two units to allow customers to move between.

"The new unit will almost entirely be given over to additional seating including an extended bar with room for barstools, barstool seating at the front window and a large bench seat running nearly the full length of the space.

“The new additional space will hopefully allow us to put on more special events, where we can invite brewers and producers to come and show off their beers and drinks in person.

“Planning permission and licences have already been granted and work has begun on stripping out and upgrading the unit."

Management are also waiting for more information about £100m plans to transform Prestwich, with the Longfield Centre expected to be part of the proposals.

Sam added: “Because of the planned regeneration, the current lease is quite short, so the finish the new premises will be on a similar industrial theme as the existing shop, but we hope it will retain the charm that has brought so many people through our doors.

“In terms of what will happen when the regeneration begins, we are still waiting for direction from Bury Council.

"We have said that we would like to remain and take a unit in the new development, but the project is still in its early stages and a lot of details need to be worked out.

"Needless to say our long term plans are to remain in Prestwich in some form.

“If all goes to plan we hope to open the doors to our new improved KCB 2.0 some time this spring. We can’t wait welcome people in!”