A two-storey brewery shop and tasting bar could be set to open in High Wycombe town centre.

The Red Squirrel Brewing Company plans to open the brewery in an empty Wycombe District Council building in Church Street as part of an old town renewal project.

The Brewery Shop Emporium will stock more than 150 craft beers, which cannot be found in supermarkets, with 26 draft beers available on tap to drink in the tasting bar.

If granted planning permission, the business will be spread across two floors, with a first floor outside terrace and an artisan stone-baked pizza eatery.

The former Millets unit was bought and renovated by WDC as part of the authority’s aim to “breathe new life into the historic area of the town centre”.

If the planned deal to lease the building goes ahead, it will be the Hertfordshire-based firm’s third brewery in south Bucks, alongside Amersham and Chesham.

Red Squirrel spokesman Tim Hickford said: “Our High Wycombe site has been in development for a long time and we are so excited to be finally sharing our plans with the town.

“When The Brewery Shop Emporium opens it will be a real hub for fostering passion and sharing knowledge of the incredible craft beer scene.”

It is the third unit to be bought and renovated by the council – the others being Yes Please Golf in Frogmoor and business incubator unit Enterprise HQ in Church Street.

WDC’s cabinet member for economic development and regeneration, cllr Roger Wilson, said: “We have been quietly pursuing a regeneration initiative, acquiring old shops, often on historic leases, and re-presenting them.

“This often involves extensive refurbishments, as is the case with the Church Street unit, to attract new independent businesses like Red Squirrel Brewing Co to improve the visitor experience of the town.”