A GLASGOW micro-brewery has submitted plans for a new production plant and visitor centre in the city.

Heidi Beers, which trades as WEST Brewery, has submitted an application to transform an existing building at Port Dundas, complete with a bar and restaurant.

WEST, which currently operates out of the Templeton Carpet Factory in Glasgow Green, produces a range of German-style beers which are sold in city pubs and clubs.

The expansion plan comes after the company received a £1.85million grant from the Scottish Government's Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation scheme.

The company said it expects to employ more than 18 staff if they are successful in their application.

Petra Wetzel, founder and managing director of WEST, said: "I think it's a great project for that part of town.

"It will create jobs, footfall, it's really putting the north of Glasgow on the map.

"People used to say: 'are you daft, you can't have a German brewery, bar and restaurant in Bridgeton.'

"We're attempting the same again at Port Dundas.

"The team is very excited, it's a beautiful building and we have plans to put it back on the Glasgow map."

The proposed site, in the Port Dundas Business Park, takes in an old cooperage and surrounding area on High Craighall Road, which is owned by global drinks giant Diageo.

It was previously used as a whisky cooperage and storage shed.

In the plans the building will be used as a brewery with areas for the public, with an extension built for the production facilities.

A spokesman for Diageo, which is aware of the application, said: "We are working to ensure the successful re-development of the Port Dundas site.

"The WEST Brewery planning application is part of that process."

fiona.mckay@ eveningtimes.co.uk