A MICRO brewery has adapted its premises and turned itself into an off licence – and plans to open its doors to the public.

“We realised we needed to do something rather than just sit around after lockdown,” said Tom Kyte, owner of the Prince of Wales Micropub in Chippenham.

“We quickly implemented an online shop and set about offering deliveries twice a week.

"We offer many cans or bottles but also still providing real ale lovers with their fix using five-litre bag in boxes delivered on a Friday.”

Now he has reconfigured the inside of the minipub by building more racks, and has added wine and other drinks to a wide selection of independent label beers.

“There isn’t an off licence in Chippenham at the moment,” he added. “So I think we should do OK.

“Now we feel it is safe to do so, we will be welcoming people to the pub to browse our newly installed shelving for take away much like a traditional off-licence.

“We will continue to offer next day home delivery for people that want it.”

He is also working to the possibility that social distancing will be with us until next year.

“We aren’t really sure what the guidance will be regarding pubs, and I’m concious that the size of the Prince of Wales won’t work well in social distancing,” he said.

“But we will adapt the off licence to have a couple of tables in it, so it will be more like a shop where you can get a beer.”

He has taken his inspiration for the shop/bar idea from Beercraft in Bath.

It encourages punters to pop into the shop on Pulteney Bridge and browse the range of beers while drinking a pint.

Tom opened the Prince of Wales on Station Hill two years ago and has become a popular spot for Chippenham beer lovers.

Then he launched into making beer with his own brewery – the Hop Therapy Brewing Company – just lockdown, based just outside Chippenham.

“We just got our first batch of beer out in March,” he said. “We have our second batch about ready and will have that on sale next week.

“It’s a cask ale, and we have called it We’ll Meet Again.

"We will be putting it on sale, and will offer it as a takeaway.

"The five-litre bags have been popular, so we hope it sells well.”