THE new gin distillery at Laverstoke will contain a cocktail-making school for bar staff, plans reveal.

Bombay Spirits Company has submitted a plan to convert the first floor of one of the former paper mill’s buildings into a mixology school.

In the application, Will Brix, Bombay Sapphire visitor general manager, wrote that the Laverstoke Mill Bombay Spirits Company Bar Academy would open Monday to Friday between 9am and 8pm.

It would be used by employees of parent company Bacardi Ltd, VIPs and partner agencies.

He wrote: “Guests would learn about the intrinsics of Bombay Sapphire as well as other Bacardi products and everything around cocktails.

“We are also looking to become an accredited training facility where guests can get qualifications in wines and spirits.”

Groups of up to 12 people at a time would be hosted at the academy in three-hour slots. Toilets would also be built on the ground floor.

The application added that the building is located outside the main visitor areas but could be part of a tour.

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council aim to decide on the application by February 6.