Plans lodged to turn snooker into state-of-the-art brewery and taproom

A couple behind plans to turn a snooker club into a brewery and taproom have detailed their vision for the project as they await planning approval.

The owners of Bungay-based brewery Ampersand Brew and Co are hoping to expand their business by purchasing Diss Cue Club, in Sawmills Road, where punters will be able to sample the 20-plus ales on offer.

Joint-owner Amy Hipwell promised that if planning permission is approved, the new venture could bring around half-a-dozen new jobs to the town.

“As we were growing, we needed to find somewhere that was larger,” said Mrs Hipwell, who opened Ampersand with her 35-year-old husband, Andy, back in 2017.

“It will have more room for us, and we’ll be able to do a lot more.

“We like to stay local, because we’re both local ourselves.

“We’ll have a taproom overlooking the brewery, and it will give us options to do tours – it will be very nice for the area.”

Diss Cue Club, which went up for sale earlier this year after 40 years of service, is still occupied by its current owners, but Mrs Hipwell said that if plans are approved by South Norfolk Council, the taproom could be open for visitors as soon as April this year.

“We’ve not had any objections so far,” said the 30-year-old, who is originally from Ditchingham but now lives in Dickleburgh.

“Anything could happen, and we are not rushing the current owners, but I imagine it could be in the next few months. If we are still in lockdown, we plan to set up a takeaway service.”