(Image: Supplied)
A trio of North East entrepreneurs have invested £1 million to breathe new life into a historic Durham hospitality venue, with ambitions to create a new destination in the heart of the city.
Imad Ali, Richard Nellis, and Terry Haley have transformed the ground floor of the former Court Inn - closed for six years - into The Court, a reimagined bar and restaurant.
Mr Ali said: "We saw an opportunity with this building to create something much bigger than a refurbishment of a former pub or the development of a new place to stay.
"The Sanctuary Knocker and The Court complement each other.
"Guests can stay in luxury accommodation upstairs and have this exceptional food, drink and hospitality offer immediately below them, while The Court is very much a destination in its own right for people who live, work in and visit Durham."
The investment follows a £2.3 million redevelopment of the upper floors into The Sanctuary Knocker, a luxury boutique aparthotel that opened earlier this year.
The combined project aims to establish a hospitality and accommodation hub in the centre of Durham.
Mr Nellis said: "We didn't want to spend all this time and money just to create another pub in Durham.
"From the beginning, the ambition has been to make somewhere people walk into and immediately see and feel the quality.
"We've obsessed over the detail.
"The timber is real hardwood, the materials have been chosen for their quality and we've allowed the design to evolve as we've built it rather than simply following a standard fit-out plan.
"The same applies to the food.
"This isn't about being fine dining or making things unnecessarily complicated.
"It's about really good food, done properly, in surroundings that match that quality."
The Court now features a bar, restaurant, and a variety of seating areas, offering everything from drinks and casual dining to elevated pub classics and à la carte options.
Around 20 jobs are expected to be created as part of the investment.
Mr Haley, who has operated hospitality businesses in Durham city centre for the past seven years, said: "The Court Inn was part of Durham for generations and when it closed it left a gap.
"These landmark venues are part of the fabric of the city and there has always been a feeling that this one should come back.
"But it had to come back in the right way.
"We want The Court to be a destination, not somewhere people visit once because they're curious to see what has happened to the old pub.
"We've tried to create an elevated version of a traditional Durham establishment.
"It can be somewhere for a special occasion and somewhere you come for a drink after work.
"You can have dinner here, meet friends, bring the family or spend the whole evening here.
"The quality and service have to be exceptional, but it still has to feel welcoming and accessible.
"That's the balance we've worked incredibly hard to achieve."
The trio are no strangers to the hospitality industry, with connections to venues such as The Drunken Duck in Durham, Hibou Blanc and The Grey Owl in Newcastle, and Black Rabbit in Chester-le-Street.
Their collective experience influenced every aspect of The Court, from the renovation and interior design to its food and operational approach.
The building itself has housed a pub for around 150 years and the redesign honours its heritage while introducing a fresh identity.
Dark wood panelling, leather seating, marble, polished brass, and period-inspired touches define the interior.
Newcastle-based Collective Design collaborated on the project, blending influences from classic Durham establishments with elements reminiscent of traditional London venues.
The fit-out was completed by Mr Nellis’ company, the Abbey Group, a specialist contractor with more than 30 years of experience in the leisure, retail, and office sectors.
The Court complements The Sanctuary Knocker, the £2.3 million aparthotel above, which features four individually designed luxury suites—Marrakesh, Peking, Andorra, and Pioneer—with views over Durham’s historic cityscape.
Mr Ali said: "We've invested significantly because we believe in Durham and in the potential to create something here that will stand the test of time."
The entrepreneurs hope The Court will become a staple of Durham’s hospitality scene, serving both residents and visitors.
By combining accommodation and dining, they aim to offer a complete experience that draws people to this part of the city.
Their confidence comes despite ongoing challenges in the UK hospitality sector, with many pubs and venues facing closure.
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The investment signals their belief in Durham’s potential and in the long-term value of thoughtful, high-quality hospitality.
A building that had stood largely unused for six years has been fully revitalised through their efforts.
The Court officially opens on Friday, August 28.