A new craft beer shop is planned for the heart of York city centre, promising a huge range for customers and a novel ‘crowler’ option.
Plans have been revealed for 21 Colliergate, which has most recently housed the Pandora’s Box antiques and curiosities shop.
If the city council approves a licensing application, the shop will become Hop O’Clock, a craft beer shop open from 11am to 9pm every day.
The application has been submitted by James Hoggar, director of Hop O’Clock, which is registered at Forest Farm Business Park nest Crockey Hill.
He told YorkMix that he hoped the shop would open in mid-July and would sell more than 200 beers “from the crazy to the classic, and everything in between”.
Crowler machine
The machines are popular in the US but still rare in the UK, and the one at Brass Castle Brewery in Malton has proved popular.
James said:
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This is a new project for me, and will be the first business I’ve run.
I’ve been living in Bruges in Belgium recently but my wife and I have visited York and loved it and we’re moving to the city and will live above the shop.
York has a good beer scene and it reminded us of Bruges as well, with the medieval streets.
Hop O’Clock would become the latest in a series of beer shops to open in the city, as the UK’s beer revolution continues. The House of The Trembling Madness opened its Lendal branch a year ago this week, and Hop & Glory opened in Acomb last spring.
Number 21 Colliergate is Grade II listed and is described by Historic England as an early 18th-century house, with even earlier origins, but some alterations from the 1800s and 1900s.
It has two shop rooms on the ground floor, totalling 259sq ft, with a flat above. The shop was D & R J Maddison clock and watch repairs for many years but became Pandora’s Box in 2015.
Phil Pinder, chair of York Retail Forum, said: “It’s fantastic to see another new shop opening in York. We wish them all the best with their plans, and look forward to meeting the owners.”