(Image: Parker Barras)
A North East pub is set to reopen its doors this week under new ownership.
The Red Lion in Norton, on the corner of Norton Road and Harland Place, will welcome customers back from 6.30pm tomorrow (Thursday, October 8), after closing on September 27.
The venue's new owners have promised to keep the pub as a traditional local while gradually introducing improvements, entertainment and new events.
Announcing the reopening, they said: “Our plan is simple, get the doors open, get the drinks flowing and keep The Red Lion as the proper local pub Norton knows and loves.
“We've got plenty of ideas for the future, but we're not changing everything overnight.
“We'll be making improvements as we go, listening to our customers and bringing more entertainment, events and hopefully food to The Red Lion in the months ahead.”
To mark the reopening, the pub will host an opening-night event featuring drinks and entertainment.
The new team added: “Join us this Thursday for drinks, entertainment and a great night as we start a fresh chapter at The Red Lion.
“Come down, meet the team, grab a drink and enjoy the night with us.”
The reopening comes little more than a week after the previous owners announced they were stepping away from the business.
Former owner Leanne Storr said the venture had “unfortunately” not worked out for the family-run team, who had taken over the pub earlier this year.
The Shaws and Storrs who were the previous owners.
She said: “Unfortunately, it didn't work out for us.
“Fingers crossed for the new owners. What the place needs is plenty of support from the locals.”
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The Red Lion reopened in May after a brief closure, when the County Durham family behind The Village Tavern in Coxhoe took over the venue with plans to restore it as a community hub.
The new owners are now hoping to build on that legacy in what they have described as a “fresh chapter” for one of Norton's best-known pubs.
The Red Lion reopens on Thursday, October 8, from 6.30pm.