An established wine business in Bury St Edmunds is hoping to relocate to the site of a pub in a more central part of the town.

Thomas Peatling has a long tradition, with the business starting in 1826. And now it is hoping to embark on an exciting new chapter.

The shop in Westgate Street has been there for at least three decades, but there are plans to move to the site of the St Edmunds Tavern in Risbygate Street.

Nicholas Corke, a director at Thomas Peatling, has submitted a planning application to use outbuildings at the back of the pub to provide a shop.

Mr Corke said the firm was buying the pub as well, which they would run alongside the shop, adding the intention is for the pub to have more of a focus on wine.

He said: “It takes us a bit closer to the middle of Bury and it’s actually got more parking. It fulfils a lot of the things we need and it also means we can expand various aspects of the business which is quite exciting as well.”

As well as focusing on wine, the Westgate Street shop also sells spirits, including an extensive range of malt whisky, and beer.

Mr Corke said the firm had many loyal customers, emphasising there would be a shop at the new site.

“The point with the move is we will carry on doing all those things we are well-known for and hopefully expand at the same time,” he said.

He said the purchase of the St Edmunds Tavern from current owners Greene King was due to be completed on Wednesday.

He said if Thomas Peatling got planning permission, they would be looking to relocate in January/February time.

Thomas Peatling, from Bury St Edmunds, started a wine and spirit business partnership with a Mr Hepplewhite in 1826 at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire. The firm expanded, and at one time joined forces with Greene King.

In 2000 Mr Corke led the current Thomas Peatling team in a management buyout returning the firm to independent family-run ownership.