A NEW era is set to get underway at one of the oldest pub's in the Tyne Valley.

The Halfway House in Prudhoe - so named because it was halfway between Hexham and Gateshead on the road between the two has waved goodbye to landlord Paul Nesbitt and his wife Julie, after 20 years behind the bar.

Paul explained that the coronavirus crisis meant it was the right time to say goodbye.

He said: "After a week in July, I knew things weren't going to be right, so I handed in our notice.

"After 20 years, I couldn't face the prospect of building a business back up again, and I didn't want to do Christmas.

"I've done 20 Christmases here, and I wanted to be at home for this one.

"I'm not sad to be stopping working in a pub, but I am sad because I won't see the friends who come in - and they are friends, not customers, after all this time. You get to know people really well."

The plight of the hospitality industry during the coronavirus pandemic has been one of the major stories this year - and it looks like a long road ahead, with Northumberland set for he strictest restrictions as the busy Christmas period gets underway.

Paul was angry at the treatment the industry has seen.

He said: "What they're doing is cutting the throats of people working in pubs.

"When we got back it was hard, but cutting opening to 10 o-clock absolutely killed it. People didn't see the point in coming out for two hours."

It would take a brave person to take over a pub now - but thankfully, someone has come forward to man the taps at the Halfway House - and she is a familiar face to many in the town.

Debbi Sullivan, who ran the Fox and Hounds until it was sold by the pub company that owned it last year, has already taken over at the Halfway.

She was recommended by Paul and her former manager at Punch Taverns as the ideal person to take on the job.

Paul added: "I've got no doubt she will do a good job. I've always been well supported there."

Debbi was looking forward to opening the doors to customers - but punters can get a taste of what's to come on Sundays, with the pub offering takeaway Sunday dinners.

Debbi said: "I don't do things the easy way!

"It's my first time doing food so I'm learning as I go - but the food tasted nice on Sunday.

"Hopefully we will go into tier two soon and then at least we can offer meals and a pint, and get open.

"It's strange, because the Syntax has just been taken over two, so the two longest serving landlords and landladies have both gone.

"I used to go into the Halfway House when I was younger, before I had the Fox, and I used to go down to the football with Paul.

"Paul and Julie have been at the Halfway for 20 years, and they do such a good job building up their reputation up over the years, and a great customer base."