A POPULAR bar is toasting the success of its new venture.

Owners of the Great Ale bar, situated in the Market Place Vaults, have branched out to open a beer shop.

Bolton Beer Cellars opened this month on Corporation Street at the front of Market Place.

This is the third real ale venture for the brand, having opened its first bar in Bolton Market.

Danny Wells, who runs the beer shop on a day-to-day basis, said: “The idea for the shop was to offer the people of Bolton something new.

“There isn’t a shop in the town centre that sells local spirits, beers from local distilleries and breweries and nice bottles of wine.

“We always try to keep it as local as we can.

“This shop has been six months in the planning, along with licensing.

“Bolton Beer Cellars is one of a kind and caters for everyone over 18.

“It provides top quality alcohol that you just won’t find in the supermarket.

“We also have champagne for special occasions.

“Gin is a big thing right now.

“We are the official stockist for Bolton Gin Company.

Danny, who has been working with the current owners in their bars since 2019, has been there to help with practicalities, such as licensing.

He added: “I’ve known about the beer shop since the idea first came about.

“We’ve all been really excited about the launch.

“It’s been all hands on deck for weeks to get the licensing sorted.

“We want to cater for everyone with our wide range of stock.”

The shop, which opened on November 13, stocks a wide range of beers from local breweries, including Seven bro7hers in Manchester and Titanic in Stoke-on-Trent.

Customers can also find flavoured Belgian beers including banana, peach, cherry, raspberry and strawberry beer.

Several craft beer and gin gift sets are available to purchase at the shop.

The beer shop also offers a click + collect service, which is available via direct message to Bolton Beer Cellars