New bar with theatre theme planned for Longridge's Old Corn Mill

Plans have been revealed for a new cocktail bar and entertainment venue in Longridge.
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A change of use application has been made to Ribble Valley Borough Council to convert part of the ground floor of the Old Corn Mill on Stanley Street into a bar called Stage Door which, as its name signals, will have a stage and theatre theme.

The applicant Mark Shepherd already operates two businesses IT company Vertigo Solutions and Vertigo Sound Ltd from the former corn mill which is located on Warwick Street, with a loading entrance on Stanley Street.

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He hopes the venue will provide an ideal location for small stage acts, comedy acts and the screening of films, sporting events and theatre.

Photo Neil Cross; A new bar is planned in The Old Corn Mill, Longridge. It would be located in the white building.Photo Neil Cross; A new bar is planned in The Old Corn Mill, Longridge. It would be located in the white building.
Photo Neil Cross; A new bar is planned in The Old Corn Mill, Longridge. It would be located in the white building.

The bar, offering 83 square metres of internal floor space, would be located in an area currently used for storage of sound equipment.

Mark’s agent agent Judith Douglas of Judith Douglas Town Planning Ltd submitted a design, access heritage and planning statement to the council which notes: “The bar will have an interesting theme and provide a genuine alternative to the existing bars in the area. There is no intention to serve hot food. It is believed that the Stage Door will complement the nearby bars and therefore attract customers into the town centre.”

She added: “The elevation to Stanley Street holds little architecture merit. Its historic value is somewhat limited, but it does provide an example of a minor industrial building in the town centre.”

How will the building change?

The Old Corn Mill extends from Stanley Street to Warwick Street - this is the view from Warwick Street.     Photo: Neil CrossThe Old Corn Mill extends from Stanley Street to Warwick Street - this is the view from Warwick Street.     Photo: Neil Cross
The Old Corn Mill extends from Stanley Street to Warwick Street - this is the view from Warwick Street. Photo: Neil Cross
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Access to the ground floor bar would be off Stanley Street and the bar would be located near another Longridge bar Fullaloves. The existing roller shutter door would be removed, the size of the opening reduced and a new window would be fitted.

What will the opening hours be and hold many can the venue hold?

The proposed opening hours would be 9am to 11pm. The venue has a capacity for approximately 60 people.

How many jobs would be created and when will a decision be made?

The application advises four full time jobs would be created by the business. Neighbours have until July 26 to comment on the application, following receipt of a letter from the council. The council will then consider its decision.

What is the site’s history and what does the building look like now?

An Ordnance Survey map of 1912 shows a building on the site which is thought to have been a former corn mill. The current Old Corn Mill building dates from around 1935 and was built after a fire destroyed the previous building. The building was built in brick and was later reclad in brick and steel profile sheets on the Warwick Street elevation while the Stanley Street elevation is rendered and painted white.

Are there any other micropubs or bars in Longridge?

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Apart from Fullaloves at The Old Stables on Stanley Street, Berry Lane is the location for Applejacks Microbar and Bartley’s plus there is Tap & Vent on Towneley Parade, off Berry Lane, as well as the Hoppy Days Real Ale Room on Derby Road.

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