Irish pub due to open next month

The Shires Tavern, Murphy's Rest, in the Stone Mills complex developed by entrepreneur Thomas Rothschild, has been granted a licence and could be open by the end of November.

The owners of Level One nightclub in Frome, Chris Gill and Richard Johnson, have also announced plans to open a caf bar and club in the same complex.

Mr Johnson said: "We want this to be a fun, classy and trouble-free place where people can come in the daytime or evening to have a good time, relax, enjoy good music, meet with friends at lunchtime or have a business meeting."

The pair hope to run a multi-purpose venue combining a caf bar in the daytime and a club with live music in the evening.

They will eventually take over the pub, which they plan to transform into a sports venue where customers can see sports of all kinds on TV screens. The former cloth mill has had mixed fortunes since Mr Rothschild bought it four years ago.

He announced ambitious plans including shops, offices, a pub and a wine bar in 2001 but the project was dogged by wrangling over planning and licensing issues.

He was granted a liquor licence for a wine bar in 2003 and has now been granted a licence for the pub, despite objections from neighbours and police.

The focus at the mill has switched from shops towards offices, with businesses already occupying the upper levels, but the riverside level is to be devoted to entertainment.

Brian Fitchett, of Trowbridge property agents Brian Fitchett Commercial, said: "We have a non-stop supply of businesses looking for office space and being able to offer the mill as an option has proved successful with those businesses already in. Now all units are either let or under offer."

Other businesses looking to open at the mill include a High Street optician, a beautician and a ladies' drop-in exercise centre.

The club is set to open at the end of November and will employ about five full-time and 10-15 casual staff.