SMALL is beautiful – or at least it is in the eyes of Ross Buchanan, the owner of Yarm’s first micro-pub, which is due to open within the next week.

Having taken over the former Chocolate Boutique shop on Yarm’s High Street after it closed a year ago, Mr Buchanan is set to use his experience of working in micro-breweries and local distilleries to launch The New Inn.

But unlike some of the town’s current pubs and bars, the plan is not to open up as much floor space as possible. The New Inn will seat between 15 and 18 customers, with standing room for another dozen or so to make a capacity of around 30 in total. As a result, an intimate atmosphere is pretty much guaranteed.

“I’ve been going out in Yarm for years, and I think the town’s got a great mix of pubs and restaurants already,” said Mr Buchanan, who lives in nearby Ingleby Barwick. “But hopefully we can offer something a little bit different and complement what’s already here.

The Northern Echo:

Ross Buchanan, owner of The New Inn


“There’s been a real growth in micro-pubs in the last few years - you’ve got places like the Green Man in Stokesley and similar pubs in Stockton, Middlesbrough and Norton – but up until now, there’s been nothing in Yarm.

“We want to provide somewhere cosy where you can have a nice drink and a chat with your mates or the people you meet. There’ll be an emphasis on creating the right atmosphere, and also on serving the best beers and lagers from local breweries. There are so many local breweries making great new beers at the minute – that’s what we’ll be focusing on providing.”

Mr Buchanan’s experience in the industry should help, with the 38-year-old having worked for a number of micro-breweries since giving up his previous job with Bulkhaul to embrace a change of career.

He has also worked in micro-distilling with the Captain Cook Distillery, and is confident there is a market for carefully-selected craft offerings.

The Northern Echo:

“The way people go out has changed in the last few years, and I think more and more people want to try different things, especially if they’re from local places they might have heard of,” said Mr Buchanan.

“We’ll have four craft ales, which we’ll rotate regularly because there are so many good local beers to get through. Then we’ll have two lagers, two real ciders and a keg beer, as well as various craft cans and Belgian bottles. Then there’ll also be wines and spirits as well as teas and coffees and soft drinks.”

The New Inn will be open from midday every day except Monday. It will close at 4.30pm on a Sunday, 9.30pm on Tuesday-Thursday and 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays.