Independent pub firm lifts lid on latest new venue

Staff at Derby Brewing are raising a glass after opening the doors to its eighth site.

The independent pub firm has opened a new café bar at Aston-on-Trent called Notsa.

Created in a former maltings and garage in Derby Road, the new venue, which will sit alongside three other businesses, has been described as a “hybrid café, deli, shop and bar”.

Notsa is open throughout the day, serving breakfast and lunch, before becoming a bar in the evening.

It is called Notsa for two reasons, the first is that it is of course Aston spelt backwards, but it also gives a nod to the village’s industrial past.

There was an engineering company called Notsa Engineering, which was based in the village for decades, from the early 1940s up until the mid-1980s.

As well as serving food, the venue also offers an extensive drinks menu, including craft beers, premium ales, artisan spirits, world wines, ciders and Notsa house cocktails.

Paul Harris, managing director at Derby Brewing, said: “We are delighted to have finally opened Notsa, an exciting new concept for us, combining a premium café, deli, shop and bar in the heart of Aston-on-Trent.

“It is open from early serving breakfast, coffees and cakes. Coupled with a fantastic lunch and deli offer plus of course our range of award-winning ales, craft beers, artisan wines, spirits and cocktails.

“We have really enjoyed working alongside Rob Bell and his team to transform this once neglected old building back into a hub of four local businesses, bringing something new and exciting to the village and beyond.”

Derby Brewing opened two new venues last year, The Pointing Dogs, which opened in Matlock in October, and The Clubhouse sports bar, which opened in Friar Gate in July.

The chain’s five other sites are The Tap in Derwent Street, The Greyhound in Friar Gate in Derby, The Pig in Lichfield, The Hole in the Wall in Mickleover and The Middle Bell in Barton-under-Needwood.