A MAJOR supermarket chain has applied for an alcohol licence ahead of a move which will see a new store built at the site of a former pub in Berkeley. 

Midcounties Co-Operative intends to expand and move out of its current smaller shop on Salter Street by opening a new larger store in the Mariners Arms.

An alcohol licence has been submitted to Stroud District Council.

If approved, customers would be able to buy alcohol everyday between 7am to 10pm, which are also the store's planned opening hours.

It is understood the new store is due to open next year. 

The store is expected to bring four full-time jobs and six part-time jobs to the area.

Representations can be made in writing to the Licensing Section until tomorrow, Thursday, December 7. 

E-mail - licensing@stroud.gov.uk

The Co-Op previously received planning permission in January 2021 and submitted a new application this year, which was also approved. 

According to planning documents, the pub has been vacant since August 2015, and was struck by fire in April 2019.

Stroud News and Journal: An artist's impression of the new Berkeley Midcounties Co-OperativeAn artist's impression of the new Berkeley Midcounties Co-Operative (Image: Midcounties Co-Operative)

In council documents, the old public house is set to be transformed with the old bar and window seats becoming the new store's staff areas, bakery and storage areas.

Meanwhile, the pub’s old skittle alley, toilets, kitchen, and beer store would become the shop floor.

In addition, plans show that the store would have 12 customer parking spaces, as well as two further parking spaces for blue-badge holders.

Stroud News and Journal: The old Mariners Arms is due to be turned into a Midcounties Co-OperativeThe old Mariners Arms is due to be turned into a Midcounties Co-Operative (Image: Google Maps)