A PROMINENT spot in Hexham has reopened with a new look and a new management team.

The new-look Abbey Lounge is located on Market Place, in the premises formerly occupied by Bin 21 and Grape and Bean.

New owners took on the site more than five months ago and have been working hard to remodel the former wine store and bar.

It now features draft beer as well as coffee, spirits, and food. The new owners, who have taken over in tough circumstances due to current covid restrictions, are hopeful that they will be able to welcome customers in to sit and enjoy food and drink by the end of February.

Investor and manager Lewis Patterson decided to get involved after the hotel company he had been working for became one of the casualties of the coronavirus crisis.

He explained: "I'm from Newcastle and I started my career at the George Hotel in Chollerford, but I've just come back to the North East from Harrogate.

"My company went under so I thought I would give this a chance.

"It's been a horrible year - a couple of thousand people lost their jobs.

"We keep getting told it's a bad time to take it over, but we see it as an opportunity.

"We've been open for just over two weeks doing takeaway coffee, food, and beer.

"We just thought we would get used to the equipment and get talking to customers. It's going alright so far, but it is quiet in town."

Lewis and the team have big plans for the venue, which became extremely popular for shoppers looking for a pit stop, particularly in the summer months, when the opportunity to sit outside and watch the world pass by becomes too good to pass up.

He continued: "I've given everyone who comes in the same speech - we're going to have live music, we've got a cocktail menu and draft beer which should bring in some new customers - we should have the full offering.

"We're in a good location - I've got the outside tables ready to go out. They won't for a little while yet of course.

"One of the things I keep getting asked is if we're dog friendly, so the first floor is going to be just that.

"Downstairs, we've changed all the walls, put speakers in and got a stage area ready. We're going to get local musicians to perform."

Takeaway coffee and food can be ordered from the counter, but alcohol must be ordered by phone.

Bin 21 first opened for business as a wine bar back in 2015. It later became known as Grape and Bean, but the business closed at the start of the year.