A COUPLE who launched a one-room micro pub in Skipton - winning CAMRA pub of the season this summer - are now aiming to stamp their style on another venture in Cross Hills.

Steve Banks and Janet Langton, who have been running The Beer Engine, off Coach Street, since May 2014, have won planning permission to transform a former betting shop off East Keltus in Main Street.

They will launch the new venture with the same ethos they have developed at The Beer Engine - to allow real ale lovers the chance to enjoy their beer without interruption from television or music.

Janet said: "The new place will be called 'Gallagher's Alehouse' or something definitely with the name Gallagher's in.

"That's due to the fact that the premises belongs to the Gallagher family and it was originally a betting shop that was run by Mr Gallagher who has passed away, his sons now own it, a mark of respect really.

"The hours on the licence application are just a loose guide as we haven't decided opening times but applied for the maximum, leaving our options open."

Lined up are two managers so that between Steve and Janet and the new recruits they can manage both places and maintain the friendly welcoming environment where they can get to know the locals.

At The Beer Engine, the couple have created a unique style and imaginative period look which gives the place a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

It is a one-room bar allowing real ale lovers the chance to enjoy their beer without interruption from television or music. And food is restricted to nuts.

The couple's recent success was in contributing to the Ale'Oween beer festival over Halloween weekend, along with a number of other pubs in the wider Coach Street area.

Steve and Janet are already on record praising their fellow publicans in the wider Coach Street area who were very helpful when the couple launched their business.

"Everyone was very supportive. If we've wanted advice they have been there. They've helped with advertising and in lots of other ways. We have a great community here in the Coach Street area," said Steve.

"Obviously there was some apprehension about starting a new venture, but it's exceeded our expectations. From the start we've done very well."

What you get at The Beer Engine is a place where people can chat and make new friends amidst the hum of voices which don't have to compete with a "juke box".

And its unique feature is the rack of casks in two rows behind the bar feeding the six traditional beer engines on the bar.

The cooled and glass-fronted shelves were devised as a feature because the premises has no cellar.

The brews are constantly changed, many supplied by relatively local breweries, and Steve ensures there is a good cross-section of beer strengths, from 3.5 per cent to 5 per cent gravity.