A NEW craft ale bar is set to open in a former Irby restaurant site.

Le Mont Blanc of Irby based on Mill Hill Road announced it had been forced to shut its doors last year after “impossible” inflation costs.

The restaurant first opened in 2022 and served European cuisine and hosted popular wine-tasting nights.

READ: Irby restaurant closes due to ‘ridiculous’ £7,000 energy bills

Now craft and German lager bar, The Crafty Tavern, has signed a lease on the unit to open its second physical store.

A spokesperson for The Crafty Tavern said: “So, today was the day that the lease has been signed its been a long time coming but we are pleased to announce we have taken over the lease at 5-7 Mill Hill Road, Irby. We should get the keys next week.

“We will then start work on transforming the property into a local community craft ale bar, serving an array of Keg Craft Ales. We will also have a German Lager on and Erdinger.

“We will have a fridge full of craft and German lagers to drink in or take away plus the usual selection of wines and spirits.”

The Crafty Tavern is a family-owned business that opened its first micropub on Chester Road in Ellesmere Port in 2021.

It offers 12 different taps and a selection of bottled and canned beers for takeaway.

The new site is expected to open mid-March.