A NEW European style micro-pub is being proposed for Hagley Road West.

A planning application has been submitted to Sandwell Council for the micro-pub in a former estate agents opposite the Toby Carvery, Quinton.

Applicant John Harris is hoping the council will give the green light to his plans for the bar to open in 2014.

He said: "With a 100 traditional public houses closing each week this could be the future of the licensing trade, bars with a smaller more intimate atmosphere without the enormous overheads of larger buildings.

"I have recently purchased the trademark Micro Pub and would like to turn empty shop premises into small bar operations based on European models I have studied."

He added: "I feel this is the perfect site for the first operation."

The opening hours of the new bar will be from 9am until 11am for coffees only and between 11am until midnight for alcohol.

Mr Harris added: "As I live very near the proposed business and I would be aware of the social responsibility that goes with this type of operation.

"There is parking in front of the shop units and on the main road, however, I feel our business would be more for the walking local community."

Mr Harris, from Woodgreen Road, is hoping to run the bar as a family business.

He said: "Although I am now an entrepenuer I spent 25 years in the pub and restaurant management with Mitchells and Butlers and my 27-year-old son works in the same industry and would be a big part of the venture."

Sandwell Council's planning committee will decide on the application in the new year.

The nearby Kings Highway pub was closed in 2007 despite public opposition to make way for a supermarket complex which subsequently was purchased by ASDA.