AFTER standing empty for the last two years, an iconic pub in the heart of Hexham is set to re-open on Friday, with a brand new look.
The Heart of All England on Market Street has undergone a £100,000 transformation after experienced pub manager, Alan Phillipson, who hails from Corbridge, fulfilled a long-held ambition by purchasing the freehold earlier this year.
For the last three months, with help from friends, family and a small team of tradesmen, the place has been stripped back and rebuilt, beginning with structural work and roof repairs.
By moving the toilets upstairs, the team have been able to open up the back of the pub to provide a spacious ground floor and dining area, while a full new kitchen and an iPad-based till and ordering system have been installed.
When it came to hiring staff, Alan contacted fellow former Queen Elizabeth High School student, Stuart Donaldson, who will bring his experience from Newcastle‘s Hotel du Vin, Malmaison and Langley Castle, to head up the kitchen.
Assistant manager Emily Talbot, from Hexham, has joined Stuart on a team of 11 new staff.
The hard work will finally pay off on Friday night when the pub opens its doors as The Heart of Northumberland.
Pick up this week‘s Courant for the full story.
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