Pizza bar plans at historic Derbyshire pub

Pesto at the Peacock in Oakerthorpe, near Alfreton, a Grade-II listed venue, is looking to expand its premises.

It has submitted plans to Amber Valley Borough Council for a new structure in its beer garden catering for up to 50 covers with a motorised retractable roof and extensive bi-fold doors.

The retractable roof and bifold doors would enable the new unit, largely made of glass, to be almost totally exposed to the elements – with the roof retracted when it is sunny.

If approved, the metal-framed unit would house the venue’s existing pizza oven, along with toilets.

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The application for the new structure says the site’s existing car park, which has more than 90 spaces, will be sufficient to cater for the proposed venture.

The beer garden would retain eight picnic tables for outdoor seating.

It details that the Peacock dates back to the 11th century and is “is reputed to be the oldest inn in Derbyshire”.

The application documents say: “The inn is mentioned in the Domesday Book, when it was known as Ufton Barnsand.

“It was rebuilt in 1613 and has a most interesting history; legend has it that Dick Turpin, one of the most famous highwaymen in English history, stopped off at the inn on his ride to York.”

The pub, which is a former coaaching house, has an underground tunnel which leads to nearby Wingfield Manor, where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in the 16th century

Independent group Pesto took over the former Peacock Hotel in 2017, spending around £400,000 on renovations and relaunching the business.

The group owns eateries in a number of UK locations, inclusding Chester, Appley Bridge and at the Trafford Centre in Manchester.

Last year, in March and October respectively, the owners were granted approval from the borough council to build extensions to the kitchen and main dining/trade area to expand the number of covers it can cater for.

The borough council will make a decision on the pizza bar building plans in the next few months.