Southend will have its first “micropub” wrapped up in time for Christmas after previously falling flat.

Mike Mawson of Southend’s George Brewery said, after his plans for the craft ale venue was granted permission from the council the second time, he was aiming to have the former Messers Aigle W and Co accountants on Southchurch Road pouring pints by Christmas.

The venue, which will be simply named Mawson’s, will stock only real ales, real ciders, and wines, with no lagers or spirits, and was previously described by Mr Mawson as “a quiet place to have a pint.”

He said: “We’ve had planning permission granted and the licence granted, so I’m hoping to get the building handed over to us in the second or third week of this month, then I’ll be working to get it ready for the Christmas festivities.

“We’ll be stocking real ales from all over the country, two of which I’m brewing myself, and artisan ciders – not your run of the mill Bulmer’s – and some good quality red, white, and rose wines for the ladies, which gets a bit of a laugh from people who think it’s sexist.

“The shopfront should be up in two or three weeks but, as for decorations, putting tables and chairs in, and stocking it, that will be our main push at the beginning of December.

“This will be the first of hopefully four or five micropubs, possibly as far out as Chelmsford, but this first one will be in Southend.”

Mr Mawson’s application was initially knocked back by the council in May following concerns about noise disturbing residents, but an amended application was granted permission in July.

While micropubs have proved popular in the north of the county, the nearest to Southend is the Hope Beer Shop in Chelmsford which, as well as selling bottles as an off-licence, also doubles up as a micropub.