UK’s biggest beer shop to expand

The UK’s biggest beer shop, Beers of Europe, has been given permission to expand its operations at its site in Setchey, Norfolk.

The expansion had initially been opposed by the local council as it had fears over access from the A10.

However, with the shop already employing nearly 12 full-time staff and the expansion set to add another five jobs, the council unanimously voted the motion through at a recent meeting on the basis that the business generated would outweigh the increase in traffic.

Planning Committee chairman, Vivienne Spikings, said: “This is a marvellous opportunity and an example of a business trying to get on. In this day and age five new jobs are important.”

Founder Derek Clark called the decision a, “victory for common sense”.

The new expansion will add to the shop floor, as well as introduce a restaurant, bar and beer garden to the site.

Speaking to the drinks business, Clark explained that the expansion will see the shop floor double from 5,000 square feet to over 10,000sq ft and that the bar and restaurant area would add another 5,500sq ft.

He added that it was a necessary move as currently “we really struggle to get products on shelf” and with some 60,000 visitors to the shop a year, particularly around Christmas time, “we can’t get people through the shop quick enough.”

The enlarged shop means there will be space for four tills rather than the current two and more cases will be able to be kept on the shop floor.

As for the bar and restaurant, Clark said that the main aim was not to serve pints per se, but rather tasting samples to allow customers to try before they bought.

He continued: “We have 2,000 products on our shelves and people never get a chance to try and they won’t buy if they don’t so the idea is to offer samples.

“People have been asking for it for years.”