A PRUDHOE pub has turned away from the flickering world of instant entertainment to create a haven of simple hospitality in the town centre.

This Friday Allison Thear threw open the doors of Prudhoe’s first micropub, Wor Local.

Unlike many of the district’s pubs and bars, the hostelry has shunned technology with not a television, fruit machine or jukebox in sight.

Instead Wor Local will hark back to simpler times, inviting people to enjoy conversation and traditional bar games over a pint of real ale or cider.

Allison (46) was inspired to transform the former computer game shop into a micropub after visiting several herself.

She said: “I loved the friendliness of it. There’s no music, no TV, no distractions. There’s a real sense of peace and quiet.

“And you don’t realise how quickly people will strike up conversation between tables, mixing with people when they usually wouldn’t.

“Because it’s a small space you don’t have a choice but to speak to people.

“It’s more than walking into a big chain pub and having someone pulling you a pint who doesn’t care who or how you are.”

Mum-of-three, Allison was granted permission to transform the former shop into a pub last December.

Since then the entire family has worked together to make their vision a reality, with son Johny (16) drawing up the plans for the application and even 10-year-old Jimmy getting involved with the painting and decorating.

Keen to recycle and to create the feel of a old-fashioned pub, Allison and husband Terry recovered and lovingly restored tables and chairs from the Felling Social Club.

The carpet and bar also come from the Felling Social Club, with traditional wooden pinball and skittles bought from local charity shops.

Allison had originally planned to call the pub ‘Our Local’ but after hearing husband Terry (48) refer to it as ‘Wor Local’ in his thick North-Eastern brogue, the name stuck.

The primary focus of the pub will be the variety of local real ales and ciders on offer.

‘Beer bats’ will also be served, offering three third measures of beer or cider to try out for the price of a pint.

And gastro-pub meals are off the menu, replaced with pork pies, cheese platters and complimentary nuts and crisps served with drinks.

Both Allison and Terry fell in love with real cider and ale after returning to the UK after 17 years living in Tenerife.

Allison said: “I love real cider but you can’t get one where we live.

“There are some great breweries around here and they’re all so friendly and willing to help.

“I haven’t done any training with the beer and cider but the Micropub Association has been helpful and I’ve been reading up.

“If it’s something you’re passionate about it’s not just a job, it’s something you enjoy.”

The pub is currently offering ales from Hadrian Border, Cullercoats, Hexhamshire and Firebrick breweries as well as Farmer Jim’s Cider.

Allison plans to update the beers on offer regularly to introduce pub-goers to the myriad world of real ale and cider.

Allison and Terry hope that Wor Local will become a fixture in Prudhoe, with eldest son Charlie (18) already earmarked to take the reins.

Allison said: “Charlie has McArdles disease which means he is easily tired by everyday actitivies.

“My husband works away a lot so my idea was that this was something for me to do, and hopefully for Charlie to take over in the future.”

The pub is licensed from 11am to 11pm. Opening hours will be directed by popular times for clientele.