PLANS have been submitted to turn a shop unit in Lower High Street in Stourbridge into an off licence and bar.

The three-storey end of terrace property, known as Giles House, has up until recently been a thrift store.

But a proposal has been submitted to Dudley Council planners for a change of use to turn the unit, which is designated for retail use, into an off-licence and drinking establishment.

The property, located by the Giles Hill alleyway by King Edward VI College, sits within the Stourbridge High Street Conservation Area.

But the plan states there are no material changes planned for the building and that it would be in keeping with the area.

A design and access statement on the council's planning website, submitted by planning consultants Plande on behalf of the unnamed applicant, states: “The applicant seeks to operate a craft/ independent beer retail business primarily for customer purchase and consumption off-site, however, they propose to offer a sit-in tasting area that will be provided through a cold stored keg line and tap set up.

“The tasting area is a supplementary marketing offering to encourage and facilitate the retail selling of the key bottle/ can products rather than as a drinking establishment which functions solely as a place for customers to drink alcohol. Sealed bottles and cans, displayed or stored on the premises, will not be made available to drink on the premises.”

It adds: “The proposals, making use of a vacant commercial unit, will help to provide employment and a reinforce a strong thriving centre in an accessible and sustainable way.”

The premises would be open from midday to 8pm Tuesday to Saturday.