Wolverhampton is set to welcome family business Slater's Ales to Queen Square in the New Year.

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The award winning brewery is developing its first premises outside of Staffordshire by transforming 3 floors of the Grade II listed building previously occupied by Costa Coffee into a craft ale bar.

Refurbishment of the currently vacant property is already underway and City of Wolverhampton Council is now helping recruit 16 staff for Slater's Craft Beer Bar, which is due to open in February.

Fay Slater, owner, said: "We looked far and wide for a new venue and when we saw the building in Queen Square we really fell in love with it.

"We also like the look of the square, especially as it is clean and well looked after - it is a nice setting for our bar.

"We did some digging around and discovered there is a lot of investment coming into the city and we want to be part of that - things are really taking off in Wolverhampton.

"The improving city bus, train and tram links, alongside the student population and trade from nearby offices, will only help our business grow.

"Our beers already have recognition in Wolverhampton through CAMRA and the council has been extremely helpful in this project, making us feel really welcome.

"We are now keen to repay that help by employing people from the city."

Slater's supply pubs and clubs throughout the country with hand brewed real ale - and celebrated its 20th year in business in March.

The original features of the building will be restored while there will also be an industrial feel throughout.

There will be a downstairs bar and an upstairs bar for functions, which will also be open at weekends, while food will be served between 12pm and 8pm.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, added: "We are delighted to welcome Slater's to Wolverhampton.

"It will be great to see this building in Queen Square brought to life again and I'm sure the venue will be a real asset to the city.

"Not only that, it is also a further boost for jobs for local people as the regeneration of the city continues."

Slater's Craft Beer Bar require managers, bar staff, kitchen staff, cooks and cleaners.

A recruitment day is being held at Wolverhampton Adult Education Service centre, Old Hall Street, on Friday 18 December, between 1pm and 3pm.

This will be followed in the first week of January by 4 days of Adult Education Service pre recruitment training for unemployed people in customer service, food hygiene, brand awareness and first aid.

Interviews will then take place on Monday 11 January 2016.

Subject to confirmation, a second recruitment event will be held at the new bar on Tuesday 5 January, at 6.30pm.

Anyone interested should contact Fay at fay@slaters-bars.co.uk or Vicki at vicki@slaters-bars.co.uk with a CV or call Angela Hoyle, City of Wolverhampton Council Skills and Employability Officer, on 01902 550587.

  • released: Thursday 10 December, 2015