Northumberland pub uses lockdown period to carry out extension and refurbishment

The Twice Brewed Inn, near Bardon Mill, has undergone an extension and refurbishment project over the past three months.

The expansion plans had been pencilled in for the next year or two but were brought forward while The Twice Brewed was unable to welcome visitors through its doors.

A bar extension allows customers to spread out while enjoying a pint inside, while a significant increase in the number of benches outside means anyone looking to socially distance in the great outdoors is more than well catered for.

Manager Steve Blair, says: “Our location and the size of our site means we’re in a great position to really make the most of our extensive outdoor seating so customers can spread out while enjoying the lovely views of the Northumbrian countryside.

“We’ve loved welcoming people back and have had a lot of great feedback from customers with regard to the social distancing measures, the at-table service and of course the new additions.”

As well as the extension, the existing bar area has also been refurbished, including a new fireplace, new lighting and a new colour scheme.

Steve said: “When we knew we were going to be closed for an extended period, it seemed sensible to use that time to realise the plans we had for the pub.”

It was a similar story with the addition of an outdoor pizza kitchen.

Steve continued: “It was somewhere in the future plans, but it’s always about finding the time to do it. We knew we needed to get the oven brought over from Italy and because we’re always so busy throughout the spring and summer, these things usually get put off until the winter months.”

During lockdown, The Twice Brewed has enjoyed a weekend collaboration with pizza-making neighbours, Fire & Dough which has seen customers swing by to collect a fresh pizza and beer takeaway combo for a Saturday night treat.

“It’s been really popular,” said Matt Brown, head brewer at neighbouring The Twice Brewed Brew House, which shares the site with the pub.

“I think having the pizza oven on site will be a great addition to The Twice Brewed.”

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