EXPANDING brewery and pub owner Bath Ales is set to take over a pub just up the road from its Warmley base.

A plan has been drawn up to extend the Hollybush Inn at Bridgeyate, which has fallen into a state of disrepair.

Subject to planning permission being given, the independent Bath Ales wants to make the pub its latest venture after opening the concept bar Beerd at the top of St Michael's Hill last year.

The Hollybush will be added to its portfolio of pubs that already includes the Live and Let Live in Frampton Cotterell, the Wellington in Horfield and the Hare on the Hill in Kingsdown.

Bath Ales, which employs nearly 150 people, recently announced a significant investment in the business to move to a new, bigger site to cope with increasing demand for its beers.

But its roots will remain in the Warmley area and the Hollybush will become its own local.

Roger Jones, the company's managing director, said: "We are always looking for possible retail sites and with the Hollybush being so close to the new warehousing and distribution site. it makes perfect sense for us to add it to our estate.

"Trading is subject to planning approval and is not expected until much later in the year, when we hope to offer our customers the quality beer and service they have come to enjoy."

The Hollybush is in a locally listed former coaching inn that has been extended "haphazardly" over time. The planning application said it had gradually fallen into disrepair over many years due to a series of short-term tenancies, no capital investment and fire damage.

It is now proposed to refurbish the inn to make it larger and lighter, create a dining area seating 85 and link the main pub building to a barn that will house a kitchen.

The entrance off Bath Road will be changed to remove a "tortuous route" around the back of the pub and parking for 23 vehicles will be provided.

South Gloucestershire Council has been told the work is necessary to make the pub economically viable.

The council's conservation officer has described the extension as acceptable and sympathetic and Bitton Parish Council, which raised no objection to the plan, said it hoped the pub's final appearance would improve the building.

Nearly three years ago South Gloucestershire's licensing sub-committee imposed a number of conditions on previous licensees at the Hollybush after hearing of complaints about the way it was operated.