Mon 1st Oct 2012 - Breaking News Bath Ales signs for flagship microbrewery site: Independent brewer Bath Ales has signed a lease for a new venue in Bath that will be its biggest outlet yet and one set to become a flagship for the business. At just over 5,000 sq ft, the new site, which is next to Bath Spa train station, is double the size of any of the south west brewers other pubs. Bath Ales plan to open the venue as Graze Bar, Brewery and Chophouse, before Christmas. Robin Couling, Bath Ales’ retail director, said: “This is a really exciting development for us. The existing Graze locations in Bristol and Cirencester have been fantastically well received and with a central location attracting both visitors and residents we are confident that Graze will be a welcome addition to the city of Bath.” Bath Ales has already opened two new venues this year in Oxford and Cirencester, and this largest pub investment is made in the city that is so integral to the identity of the award-winning brewer. The premises is part of a new food quarter in the final phase of a £360 million shopping centre being built in the city and is being created in and around the arches of the 19th century railway station. Bath Ales’ new bar and restaurant will take up the entire first floor and has two large outside areas for al fresco dining. When opened there will be capacity for around 140 diners. In addition it will have a large open plan kitchen, a meat hanging room and a small microbrewery producing specialist craft beers. Bath Ales currently operates The Hop Pole on the Upper Bristol Road and The Salamander in the heart of the city on John Street. This will be third in the series of Graze Bar & Chophouses owned by Bath Ales; the first was launched in Bristol’s Queen Square in 2009. The new site takes Bath Ales tally of managed sites to 11.