A new venue specialising in craft beer sourced from its own local brewery looks set to open in Watford town centre.

Mad Squirrel has eyed up a site in King Street for a new bar and taproom serving a wide range of beers and other drinks.

The company has venues across the Chilterns and opened its latest branch in St Albans in 2019 - with Watford now set to be added to its ranks.

According to licensing papers submitted to Watford Borough Council, Mad Squirrel wants to take over a vacant building in King Street that was formerly a restaurant.

Council papers state: "An application has been made by Mad Squirrel Tap Watford Ltd for a new premises licence for the premises at 3 King Street, Watford WD18 0BW. The premises will be known as Mad Squirrel."

A council sub-licensing committee is set to meet on September 8 to decide whether to grant a licence for Mad Squirrel to sell alcohol both on-site and to take away.

Mad Squirrel operates its own brewery near Hemel Hempstead, with the beer it produces then sold in its venues, as well as in cans in shops, pubs, cafes, and other establishments.

At its St Albans branch, customers have the choice of 25 beers along with other alcoholic drinks such as ciders, wine, and spirits.

It also has a fresh pizza menu while Mad Squirrel's venues also provide live music.

In Mad Squirrel's original application to the council, it sought a licence to provide live and recorded music but this has since been removed.

However, due to the deregulation of live and recorded music in licensed venues, this does not mean that the premises are not allowed to play music at all but may only do so until 11pm.

The licensing committee will however need to decide whether to grant a licence to sell alcohol both on and off the premises up until 11.30pm every day.

Like with all licensing decisions, members of the committee must consider the prevention of crime and disorder, the prevention of public nuisance, public safety, the protection of children from harm.

Three residents who live in a flat above the proposed site have raised objections, although the council has noted these objections were made when a licence for live music was still pending.