An East Sussex brewery started by three school friends has its sights on a second micropub after hitting delays with the first.
Three Acre brewery was created nine years ago by Jamie Newton, Peter Mayhew and Chester Broad who grew up in the village of Blackboys where the operation is based.
The brewer’s second micropub in nearby Heathfield could turn out to be its first after unforeseen bureaucratic delays in opening a converted signal box in Uckfield.
“It’s so frustrating”, said Broad. “We have passed through so many hoops, including planning permission and a premise licence to sell alcohol at the historic signal box, but inevitably, with such an old structure, there is a hold up with further works needed by Uckfield Town Council which owns it. Once completed, we can take over the lease and begin our final fitting out stage.”
Undeterred, the trio has found what they believe are ideal premises (above) in bustling Heathfield, a short distance from the brewery but in the opposite direction to the signal box. The directors are poised to submit a planning application to Wealden District Council.
“We are excited to announce we are applying for planning approval to open a micropub on Heathfield’s High Street”, said Mayhew. “The unit is ideally situated on the corner of Cherwell Road, by the mini roundabout in the heart of Heathfield, and we are delighted to have already verbally agreed a long-term lease.”
“It’s a lovely building, with big windows and a spacious main area, exposed brickwork, and it even comes complete with a stained-glass window of an oast house”, he added. “We’re naming the new venue, the Storehouse, a nod to the building’s roots and past use.”
There will be an outdoor space for customers to enjoy a pint as well as an emphasis on offering a range of high-quality and locally produced beers, wines, spirits, cider, soft drinks, food and bar snacks.
The move will also be welcomed by the crowdfunders who backed the signal box plans as their free beer tokens will also be redeemable at the Heathfield venue.
“We’ve had our roots in Heathfield since the very beginning”, said head brewer Jamie Newton who went to Heathfield school. “Our plan is to make the Storehouse a hub for music, quizzes, talks, exhibitions and more and we are really excited about the opportunity and what it can offer to local people.”
During Covid lockdown, the brewery delivered beer to hundreds of houses in and around Heathfield, while its horsebox bar has been stationed at Le Marche annual Anglo-French market for the last four years and plans are in place for this August’s event as well.
“While we’re on the subject of Le Marche, we’ve already seen firsthand that nowhere has a love for quality local beer quite like Heathfield”, added Newton. “We can’t wait to welcome you all and begin serving some of the best beers and produce you can find – the vast majority of which will be produced a stone’s throw away.”
Work should soon get underway to ready the Heathfield premises for opening later this year, while the team is also forging ahead with plans for the signal box.
