A DISTILLERY which is moving from an industrial park to a city centre has officially submitted its plans to convert a loading bay into new premises.

Durham Distillery’s new location, at the Riverwalk, next to the River Wear, means it will be able to offer tours to members of the public.

The distillery, which makes its own gin, vodka, and liqueurs, has been open since 2014.

It now wants to move from Langley Park, near Durham, to the city centre as part of its plans to expand into whisky production.

The company said: “The new distillery will be a production base for the business, but it will also be a place where customers will interact with the team and the distillery’s products.

“This will fundamentally change how they are perceived by customers and will change brand definition radically.”

It has submitted a planning application to alter one of the units at the lowest level of the shopping centre, which fronts directly onto Framwellgate Waterside.

The customer facing side of the business, which will include tours, off sales, tasting days and events, will be to the front of the unit, immediately behind the goods entrance, which will be replaced with a shop front with windows.

The application, which has been submitted to Durham County Council, says: “The proposals to convert a redundant loading bay beneath the Riverwalk shopping centre into a new home for Durham Distillery will help facilitate the expansion and growth of a successful Durham based business.”