A NEW micropub next to Dunbar Railway Station has been granted a licence to serve alcohol.

Plans to turn the former station lodge into a high-end pub have been backed by East Lothian Council's Licensing Board.

Gerard McPhillips and David McGee, are currently transforming the building, which was previously used as Sustaining Dunbar offices, on Station Road, into a small pub.

Mr McPhillips outlined his plans for the business at the meeting: “As well as craft beers, we hope to sell wines and some spirits, mainly gins and whiskies. These would be high-end products that would not be available at the supermarkets, and will be more expensive than alternatives.”

Members of East Lothian Council’s Licensing Board granted a provisional licence to the premises at a meeting in Haddington.

The licence allows them to sell alcohol on-site until 11pm throughout the week, which Mr McPhillips said was “earlier [closing] than other premises”.

Off-sales will also be permitted until 10pm.

Provost John McMillan, cabinet spokesman for tourism and economic development, welcomed the new venture.

The Haddington and Lammermuir councillor, who is a licensing board member, said at the meeting: “One of our economic aims is to become the food and drink capital of Scotland and I hope we keep this in mind [when deciding on the application for a licence].”

Initially, concerns had been raised by the town’s community council, who felt the building was small and out-of-the-way.

However, Mr McPhillips and Mr McGee visited the group in May and gave a short presentation outlining their aims and ambitions, which would also see the sale of locally sourced snacks.

Community councillors wished the duo the best of luck in their new venture, which is expected to open in the autumn.

Planning permission to transform the building on the town’s Station Road was granted by East Lothian Council earlier this year.