A NAUTICAL-THEMED micropub in Romsey could open its doors to more than 60 thirsty customers next month, it has been revealed.

A planning application to revamp the empty 8 Market Place into the Cocky Anchor was approved by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) in December.

Revisions to the plans have been submitted in a bid to allow customers to enjoy a pint in the beer garden from 11am to 10pm - making the pub more viable when Covid restrictions ease on April 12 at the earliest, which means customers can return outdoors first.

Now, managing director of Anchor Real Estate Ltd, Ian Paxton, has told the Advertiser the micropub's beer garden and outdoor seating in the Market Place could open to the public by April 12, but admitted it will be a challenge.

He explained: "We are still looking at how that will work, because you have to go through the pub to get to the beer garden and, with social distancing rules, we can fit about 28 people in there.

"We have permission to have 36 seats at the front of the pub by the Palmerston statue when there are no markets there, so we can use that space on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

"I am very hopeful we will be able to open on April 12 and we will have a proper opening in June when people can actually come in the pub without restrictions, because being a micropub with social distancing is a nightmare."

The business owner added he believes people working across the hospitality sector are raring to reopen in April as part of step two of the roadmap out of lockdown.

He said: "I think because things have been shut down for a while everybody is racing to get pubs back open again and now we are nearly at that date."

As reported, as part of the revised plans drinkers should still be able to enjoy a tipple past 10pm in the future, as the micropub plans to stay open until 11pm seven days a week, according to a document submitted to TVBC.

The public could also enjoy a cosy chat in a small room at the back of the pub, dubbed the “snug”.

Ian previously said he was planning to “open in February”, but admitted it was dependent on what coronavirus restrictions were in place at the time, and lockdown has since seen the opening pushed back.