A LONG-CLOSED Hexham pub is set to be given a heart transplant.

The once thriving Heart of All England in Market Street is to be given a new name and a new image.

It will in future be known as the Heart of Northumberland, and become a family friendly pub with its own beer garden.

In a planning application which went before Hexham Town Council on Monday, agent Mark Bodger, writing on behalf of applicant Alan Phillipson, said: “The change of name helps to signify the complete change in direction of the pub to a food-led, family-friendly, real ale and quality wine pub, having previously had a very poor reputation for a long time, focusing on karaoke and poor quality, cheap drinks.”

The pub will still be known as the Heart, but some older Hexham people still remember it as the Turks Head.

That was its name until 1963, when the name was changed to The Heart of All England to reflect the town’s motto, believed to have been coined by founder of the Hexham Courant Joseph Catherall as a slogan for his new newspaper in the 1860s.

The Heart was once a very popular pub, much frequented by officers, staff and councillors from Tynedale Council after council meetings.

It was also no stranger to controversy, hitting the national headlines in the 1980s when one landlord refused to serve pints of beer to women because he felt it was unladylike.

The building, which is in the Hexham conservation area, is Grade II listed, with parts of it believed to date back to the 17th century.

It has been unoccupied for almost two years though, and is deteriorating badly.

Mr Bodger said: “The décor throughout the ground floor of the property is considered outdated, with no regard for the original features of the property, while the kitchen and toilet facilities to both the public house and residential flat above are not considered fit for purpose.”

The proposals aim to ensure the continued use of a building of historical significance in bringing both unused commercial and residential accommodation back into use.

Internally, the aim is to resolve long standing damp issues, prior to updating the décor and opening up the ground floor area to the rear so to provide a more modern and usable space.

This will include the opening up of fireplaces to expose original features, in addition to the installation of a disabled toilet and baby changing room.

At first floor level, the proposal seeks change of use of part of the existing residential flat to accommodate new toilet facilities for the pub.

This will necessitate a new kitchen and toilet for the flat.

A yard at the rear of the property will become a beer garden, operating between 10am and 9pm every day.

Mr Bodger claimed the proposals were generally acceptable to Northumberland County Council’s conservation officer, and neighbours who had been consulted were supportive.

The proposals were supported by the Hexham town councillors.