Plans for new Bushy's brewery and restaurant in Castletown

The plans include a 90-seat restaurant

Plans for a brewery in the south of the island will "preserve and repurpose" buildings from the 1800s, the founder of Bushy's has said.

The firm has put forward proposals to redevelop Castletown Commissioners works yard, which have the local authority's backing.

The plans also include a restaurant, a tap room and the relocation its offices from Santon.

Martin Brunnschweiler said the scheme could "bring brewing back" to the town.

Historically the practice had been an important industry in the town, with Castletown Brewery established in the 1860s, he said.

If planning permission for the development is granted, licensing approvals would also need to be secured.

The site next to Mill Street and Alexandra Road, which is just outside of the town's conservation area, is currently used as the local authority's depot for storage, growing of plants, parking of vehicles and workshop.

'Next chapter'

Under the plans, existing stone buildings on the site would be retained and refurbished and converted into the brewery office.

Meanwhile, the existing workshop would become the 90-seat restaurant and an outdoor seating area, which could accommodate up to a further 60 people.

The brewery, both floors of the tap room and an outdoor dining terrace would also have disabled access.

Mr Brunnschweiler said the proposals would create jobs in the town and could see the "addition of a tourist attraction" to the ancient capital.

The plans outline measures to cut down the "noise nuisance" from the site and stop smells from escaping the brewery

Mr Brunnschweiler, who sold the firm earlier this year but remains employed by the firm, said he was "buzzing" at the potential plans for the "next chapter" of the company.

Formed in 1990, Bushy's' existing site at Mount Murry was in need of refurbishment and would not allow for a similar development, he added.

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