Member Article

Planning Consent Granted to Turn Former Community Pub in Duffield into A New Pub/Restaurant

A former community pub in Duffield is set to be relaunched as a high quality pub/restaurant with the creation of 35 new jobs after planning permission was granted by Amber Valley Borough Council.

At a meeting of the planning committee this week, councillors voted in favour of plans for the restoration and renovation of The Pattenmakers Arms on Crown Street.

The plans were submitted by Lisa Thorley, an experienced chef who ran the popular Lisa Jean Brasserie at Bennetts. Agents for the application were Worcester Architects.

Work will now be able to start on the project, which includes updating the building and the replacement of existing inadequate structures with a new single storey extension to the rear, which will create up to 42 new dining spaces.

Alterations will also be made to the existing roof terrace and improvement works made 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.

Building work is set to commence in the coming weeks, with completion set for December 2021.

The Pattenmakers Arms was a traditional local pub, which closed 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.

It 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 pub/restaurant will be operated in partnership with experienced chef and businessperson Lisa Thorley, who has a vast amount of experience in the hospitality sector. She trained as a chef at Buxton College and worked 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.

Commenting on the decision to grant planning permission for The Pattenmakers Arms, Lisa Thorley, said:

“We are delighted that planning has been granted and we can now move forward with our plans to bring this popular local business back into use and provide variety and further choice to the residents of Duffield.

“To receive this decision from the planning committee is a vindication that our proposal is the right fit and will allow us to breathe new life into a locally important building, create new jobs and support local businesses.

“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.

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