A CASK ale bar will be coming to Darwen market.

Caskbar will be setting up stall in the town next month, offering real ale and speciality gins for connoisseurs and traditional pub enthusiasts.

Owner Anthony Rothwell said he had always dreamed of opening his own pub but had been concerned about getting tied up with big breweries.

The customer service adviser said he will be working exclusively with independent breweries from across the United Kingdom to serve a unique range of drinks in a relaxed atmosphere.

He said: “The main focus will be on ales and speciality gins.

“It will be stuff you might not see in your local pub or supermarket.

“We will also be offering tasting and their will be different ales on the bar each week so there will always be something new to try.

“There will also be a bottle shop so customers will have the option to sit in or take their drink away.”

The 32-year-old, said he hoped the micro bar would ‘kick start’ the market which has suffered as a result of low footfall in recent years.

He said: “I thought the location would be unique. I hoped it might kick start the market it and bring in a different crowd.

“The point is to serve it in a place where people can feel relaxed.

“The entertainment will rely on the conversations between customers.

“It will be like going back to the the way pubs used to be.”

The bar is scheduled to open late in February and Mr Rothwell said the response so far has been ‘great’.

He said: “We’re just waiting for the green light from the council so we can move in. We’ve had a really great response from people in Darwen so far.

“The other market stall holders are quite excited as well, they are hoping that it will be good for the market.”

Borough regeneration boss Phil Riley said the microbar will be good news for the market.

He said: “I am really please to hear the bar is coming to Darwen market.

“It is the kind of thing that will attract a different audience to the market.

“At the end of the day that’s what we want, more footfall in the market.

“Once they’re in they will be more likely to stay see the other stalls in the market and shop there.”