Falkirk beer hall Rock Bottom gets licence in hope of Christmas opening

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A new Falkirk beer hall will be able to open as soon as any outstanding work is finished and a building warrant has been granted.

The new craft beer taproom - to be called Rock Bottom - will open in Unit 5, The Arcade, Callendar Riggs, part of the old bus station in the town.

Company director Andrej Rafaj pleaded with members of Falkirk Council' s licensing board to grant an occasional licence, on the understanding that all work would be finished and signed off first. Read more: Scottish Canals blamed for neglecting vital bridge repair in Falkirk village He told members that opening before Christmas was key to the "survival of the business" as sales in January are traditionally low for hospitality.He said: "I'm not asking for any favours.

As long as the building is safe and we get the building warrant in place and there are no objections, we are trying to find a way to open for Christmas in order to survive as a business."Otherwise the whole venture, which has cost us our life savings and more, is going to be for nothing."Mr Rafaj is the owner of award-winning craft beer business, Not That California Brewing Company, which makes its beer on the outskirts of California - the small Falkirk village, not its famous American namesake.He hopes that the new venue will be a "community beer hall" that will host concerts, comedy, theatre and open mic events.In July, he successfully crowdfunded nearly £12,000 in just 17 days to help get the new venture off the ground.But getting the licence in time for Christmas became a race against time after a series of delays to the project which will see a long empty shop being transformed into a beer hall.Mr Rafaj told the board: "Our biggest concern is that when the work is finished and we