THE owner of an independent restaurant has launched a legal bid to stop an international craft beer company opening a pub in York city centre.

Brewdog Bars hopes to open for business in the former Portfolio Studios building at 130-134 Micklegate in May.

But Clarissa O'Callaghan, who lives in Micklegate and owns Rattle Owl restaurant at 104 Micklegate, has appealed to York magistrates against the decision of City of York Council to give it an alcohol licence.

In her grounds of appeal, she claims that the part of Micklegate where the new bar is planned is mainly residential and that local residents oppose the opening of a drinking establishment there.

She also claims that the council decision is not in line with other licensing decisions by the council on bars and pubs in the city centre's cumulative impact zone which includes the site of the proposed bar.

Brewdog has permission to open a bar capable of holding up to 150 people in a pub with 2,500 square feet.

York Press:

The site in Micklegate, where BrewDog wants to open a bar

It is contesting the appeal, as is City of York Council. When lawyers for all three parties appeared before York magistrates the case was adjourned for a two-day hearing on April 7 and 8 at York Magistrates Court, which is expected to be open again by then following flood repairs.

Ms O'Callaghan is expecting to call at least eight witnesses and the other two organisations one each.

North Yorkshire Police had been expected to object to the proposed pub, but before the matter came before the council's licensing committee in November, the force withdrew its application because Brewdog agreed to amendments to conditions on its licence.

These included having two doormen on duty after 9pm on Friday and Saturday nights and to stop serving alcohol before midnight, except on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays before bank holidays when it can serve until 1am.

Rattle Owl restaurant opened for business in November in the former Blake Head Book shop and can seat 42 diners. It also has a shop.

Brewdog, founded in 2007 in Fraserburgh near Aberdeen, has bars and pubs across the UK as well as a dozen in Europe and one in South America and is planning one in Hong Kong.