AN art studio in the heart of Leigh is hoping to sell alcohol so people can enjoy a glass of wine while they paint.

Create 98, in Leigh Broadway, is an art and creative studio that has been running workshops for residents for the last five years.

However, owner Simon Fowlder has now applied for a licence to sell alcohol so his customers can enjoy a glass of wine or beer while they work on their arts and crafts.

The 59-year-old took over the business in February last year and is working on creating a cafe upstairs which he hopes will also be able to sell alcohol.

The graphic designer has applied to sell alcohol between noon and 10pm daily, but insists the venue’s main focus remains on arts and crafts.

Simon said: “We are staying as a crafting company.

“But it isn’t easy to keep four classes going a day, so we were thinking of how we can make this business continue to stay open, and make revenue, whilst keeping the workshop accessible.

“So, we decided to look at the possibility of a coffee shop within it, so people can have a coffee, or a wine, or a beer, whilst creating art.

“We aren’t changing the nature of the business; we don’t want to just be a coffee shop.

“But we thought it would be nice to have a space for people to have a drink whilst either taking part in a class, or painting on their own.”

The business plan is similar to the nearby Read on Sea, which opened last year in Leigh Broadway and allows residents to purchase a glass of wine while reading.

Simon added: “It is exciting, but we are just waiting for approval.

“It is just something we think will help support the business and expand our offering.

“Create 98 is not a huge money-maker, it is something for the community.

“But as prices are rising, we have to find a way to make revenue to keep it going as a lot of people enjoy coming here. “It would be exciting to have something else on offer alongside our studio, which in turn will make the crafting more accessible and more able sustainable.”