Axminster could be in line for two micropubs as another application has been submitted to East Devon District Council.

A change of use is sought for Unit 4 St Georges, Chard Street, from a ground-floor shop to a micropub, directly opposite the George Hotel.

Approval for a micropub at Axminster train station was given by the district council in December.

It’s proposed the town centre micropub will be open from 11am to 11pm and there is no intention to play amplified music or have outside drinking areas.

The shop has been vacant since September 2019 and the micropub would ‘bring the premises back into active use’.

The design and access statement notes that several properties in Axminster are currently vacant and that since 2001, the UK has lost a quarter of its pubs. It proposes that the change of use would ‘reinforce the vitality and viability of the town centre’.

It added: “While it is acknowledged the site is located immediately opposite the George Hotel, the proposed micropub is unlikely to have an adverse impact on that business as it would provide a small-scale drinking establishment, whereas the George Hotel provides a very different business offering to its customers, including restaurant food and overnight accommodation.

“In addition, the micropub will be offering a completely different range of beers and ciders to that of the George Hotel. In addition, no food will be cooked onsite, with the provision for just snack type food.

“While there are dwellings immediately above the proposed micropub, the landlord has confirmed that a solid concrete floor was installed as part of the refurbishment within the ceiling of the existing shop to protect the amenity of upstairs occupants. In addition, the flats above face directly onto the Chard road which is a noisy road due to the volume of traffic.”