Peter escapes the rat race

Nov 27 2009 by Aranda Rahbarkouhi, The Journal

Outside the front door (unmarked, as the station is a listed building) is a taxi rank, a Ladbrokes and a fish-and-chip shop – so within 20 paces quite possibly every man’s need is catered for.

The project hasn’t all been plain sailing – “five months of red tape” as Peter puts it – and his first call was to the station manager who thought it was a good idea, then the property agents checked it over before owners Network Rail gave their approval, after which he applied for planning permission, a premises license and a personal license.

“I had to do eight copies of everything for the police and for Trading Standards,” he says. “Then I waited and waited and waited until the last day – and got an objection from the Friends of Hartlepool Station.

“Disaster. But all it took was one phone call and they were happy. They thought it was going to be a bar like the ones on Church Street in the town.

“The micro-pub is a great, great concept. As soon as I heard about it I thought it was a brilliant idea. My girlfriend’s happy. She loves beer and it means she’ll have a decent one when she gets back from work in the evening. In fact she’s just sent a text about a lovely pint she’s having in the Bacchus in Newcastle.”

The Rat Race Ale House also offers newspapers and books. Perhaps if he gets round to stocking films, Peter Morgan might recommend The Great Escape.

For pub details and train information, visit the websites at www.ratracealehouse.co.uk and www.northernrail.org

alastair.gilmour@hotmail.com

The micro-pub is a great, great concept. As soon as I heard about it I thought it was a brilliant idea