Member Article

Planning Application Submitted to Turn Former Community Pub In Duffield Into A New Pub/Restaurant

A former community pub, which closed its doors in March 2020, is set to be relaunched as a pub/restaurant in a move which will create 35 new jobs.

Lisa Thorley, an experienced chef who ran the popular Lisa Jean Brasserie at Bennetts, has submitted plans to Amber Valley Borough Council for a proposed extension to The Pattenmakers Arms on Crown Street in Duffield, which will enable it to be relaunched as a high-quality pub/restaurant.

Plans include the restoration and renovation of the building and the replacement of existing inadequate structures with a new single storey extension to the rear. This will create new dining/seating spaces, new sanitation, and a pleasant and safe working environment for staff.

The planning application also includes alterations to the existing roof terrace and improvement works to a small garden area to the side of the building.

The proposed extension will be a contemporary style and made with sustainable materials. The existing front and side elevations, which give the building its character, contribute to the Conservation Area and represent the traditional form and function of a public house, will remain unchanged.

The Pattenmakers Arms was a traditional local pub, which served the community in Duffield for many years. It closed its doors in March 2020 before being purchased in November 2020 by the Lidher family, experienced developers with a track record of restoring heritage buildings in and around Derby.

They have now teamed up with experienced chef and businessperson Lisa Thorley on this new venture, which will be within walking distance for more than 5,000 local people.

Lisa Jean has a vast amount of experience in the hospitality sector. She trained as a chef at Buxton College and went on to work at top restaurants including Nobu and Aubergine before relocating back to Derbyshire.

She ran the highly rated Lisa Jean at Bennetts Brasserie for more than three years until the department store’s closure in 2019.

The Pattenmakers Arms will remain as a pub, offering quality, reasonably priced, locally sourced food, along with authentic ales, craft beers, wines, spirts and non-alcoholic beverages.

The new owners of the building hope to create a long-term sustainable future for this landmark local building, create local jobs and provide opportunities for local food and beverage suppliers.

The planning application is set to be considered at the next meeting of the Amber Valley Borough Council planning committee, which is scheduled to take place next month.

Commenting on the proposed relaunch of The Pattenmakers Arms, Lisa Thorley said:

“The proposed extension will enable us to breathe new life into this locally important building, create new jobs and support local businesses.

“Our aim is to create a sustainable long-term future for this popular business, retaining the original use in a way that is fit for the present day. This requires us to bring the dining and kitchen facilities up to date through the addition of a single-storey extension to the rear of the existing building.

“Retaining the building as pub/restaurant will also ensure an important aspect of the Conservation Area and social fabric of the town is retained and enhanced for future generations to enjoy.

“We are conscious that concerns have been raised in some of the comments submitted to the Borough Council concerning the parking provision at The Pattenmakers Arms. As a responsible business, we have reviewed these concerns and our intention is that the new pub/restaurant will be run in such a way that it will not cause any additional congestion in the village.

“Duffield has an excellent bus service between outlying towns such as Derby, Belper and Matlock; and Duffield railway station is situated just 350m from The Pattenmakers Arms, which adds a further public transport option for staff and customers.

“An arrangement is currently being discussed with a local business for staff parking. Safe and secure cycle parking will be made available on the existing garden space to the right of the pub building to enable active travel by customers and staff.

“We look forward to receiving a positive decision at the planning committee meeting, which will enable us to bring a popular local business back into use and provide variety and further choice to the residents of Duffield,” added Lisa.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sonia Bolla .