A BUSINESSMAN hopes to breathe new life into a derelict brewery - with new apartments, cottages, a pub and a shop planned for the development.

Matthew Mayvers has revealed ambitious plans to transform the The Old Brewery in Ulverston into an exciting new development.

The site, home to the former Hartley’s brewery, has been touted for numerous developments over the decades since it was first shut in 1991.

Among them was Homes For Ulverston, a group of five Ulverstonians wanting to redevelop derelict sites, who aimed to convert the building into 37 affordable new homes

However, the brewery was snapped up by local businessman, Matthew Mayvers, managing director of the Ulverston-based catering equipment supplier Caterkwik.

Construction work has already begun on the internal sites of the Old Brewery and Bird in Hand which was sold in August last year.

Plans for the development include: refurbishing three cottages in Brewery Street, building three apartments in Hart Street and four new apartments in Union Street - the latter of which is yet to be approved by South Lakeland District Council.

Mr Mayvers has also revealed plans to develop a gastro pub or restaurant in the brewery as well as a shop unit.

He hopes the development will create employment and bring visitors to the area.

"We're currently in phase one of the plans. We're starting work on Monday and making use of the existing buildings which are already there," he said.

"We're renovating the existing cottages on the roadside and hopefully breathing a new lease of life into them.

"It's always been on the agenda to keep the brewery as a pub if possible.

"Our ambition is to bring housing, employment and visitors into the town.

"We're really excited about the plans. Lots of people are showing interest in the shop.

"It's a good opportunity for someone to make a successful business for themselves in Ulverston.

"The last year has been a very difficult time with Covid and we've been very careful about the level of commitment - if we start something, we want to finish.

"Phase one is well on the way for the end of this year - we're in a better position than we anticipated after this year."

Colin Pickthall, Ulverston Town Councillor, has welcomed the plans.

He said: "This is a colossal and expensive development which I hope manages to go ahead as plans.

"It's an honourable effort by Mr Mayvers which will transform into a building that looks a mess.

"I'm excited about the shop unit which I hope entrepreneurs will come forward to take over.

"The town's becoming thinner and thinner for shops, so the more variety the better."