FOR decades, the Errington Arms was regarded as one of the district’s most popular pubs.

Now, a well-known Wark woman is hoping to revive the fortunes of the site after transforming it into a coffee shop.

Louise Nixon purchased the building from the Shotton family and she recently opened the Errington Coffee House, on Stagshaw Bank.

In a prime spot on the A68 and the Military Road, it has already proven a hit with cyclists and walkers along Hadrian’s Wall.

Louise, a clerk at Hexham and Northern Auction Mart for 37 years, has been inundated with familiar faces in the short period of time she has been open.

They include a lot of customers who have followed her from the Stable coffee shop at Bolam Lake, which was run by her mother, Linda Charlton.

Linda ran the business for 25 years and enlisted the help of her daughter in recent months.

Louise said: “I was baking for her and travelling 50 miles a day to work, but I wanted something closer to home.

“This building wasn’t on the market, but I approached the owners and asked if they would be interested in selling.

“We’ve had lots of walkers and cyclists call in to see us and customers at Bolam Lake have travelled to us, and we’ve had some really nice comments so far.

“We’ve put a lot of hard work to get where we are, and it looks like it’s paying off.”

In addition to offering lunches, cakes and the usual services of a coffee shop, the business has retained an alcohol licence.

The Errington Arms was open sporadically over the past few years, but will now be open on a more consistent basis.

Louise said: “What we want to provide is a homely, welcoming atmosphere, and people have found that so far.”

Future plans for the building include creating a number of bunk rooms for walkers and cyclists.

News of the takeover has also pleased the local quoits team, who have been given permission to keep playing.