PRIVATE dining, educational tours and television filming are all expected to become part of Tom Kitchin’s new gastro pub when it opens in East Lothian.

The transformation of the former Golf Inn in Gullane into The Bonnie Badger is well under way, with plans to open in December.

Details of the new pub have now been revealed.

Michelin star chef Kitchin’s wife Michaela and dad Ron appeared before East Lothian Council’s licensing board to register the change of name for the venue, as well as asking for changes to previous licences.

They revealed plans for 13 bedrooms – five of them in a cottage in the gardens of the pub – as well as a private dining room which would seat 20 and double as a conference or meeting room; a main dining area; outdoor eating area and a herb garden.

They also applied for permission to provide off-sales from the pub so that people who buy a bottle of wine are able to take it home if there is some left when they leave.

Their representative Caroline Loudon told the board that the Kitchin family had been “keen to come to East Lothian for some time” and were expecting a large number of guests who would be using the surrounding golf courses.

Applying as well to be allowed to serve breakfast outside from 7am, she said: “There will be quite a lot of Americans coming and we would like to be able to offer teas and coffees in the morning, bearing in mind people will have early tee-times.”

The application to the board said: “The premises offer a range of other activities including: private dining experiences; tastings; education tours and learning experiences; promotional and media activities; fine dining experiences; television and filming.”

It also listed corporate events, private hire, community and charity events, and auctions as possible activities.

Councillor Jim Goodfellow, ward member, questioned the inclusion of plans for outdoor sports to be held at the pub in the application.

However, Mrs Loudon said it was a “catch-all” to cover any events, citing an experience in Edinburgh where a premises held a foam party.

She said: “Licensing officers came in and said it was not an activity that was on the licence but everyone was foaming by that point.”

The board approved the variations to the licence, wishing the Kitchins well in their new venture.

Councillor Jane Henderson, another ward member, said: “I welcome this development and look forward to the end result. Thank you for making the investment.”