Road closure gives Rothbury pub 'one of the best beer gardens in the village'

The road outside the Newcastle House Hotel has been closed to traffic by Northumberland County Council.

Owner Chris Greaves who took over 18 months ago, said: “I’m absolutely delighted they finally agreed to it.

"There was quite a lot of discussion about it so I’m pleased they’ve been able to support a local business.

"It’s a great help because not having a beer garden put us at a distinct disadvantage.

"Now the road closure has given us one of the best beer gardens in the village. It’s a great place for people watching!”

He is also now looking forward to welcoming customers back inside from Monday, May 17 with the further easing of restrictions.

Indian restaurant, Anisha’s, which operates from the hotel kitchen in the evening, is also returning.

"We had a good reputation last time for the Covid measures we had in place and those will continue.

"We’ve been closed (inside) since November so it’s been a long spell, even compared to the first lockdown.

"Nearly all of the food and drink we had went out of date so there has been quite a big cost in restocking the business.

"I quite often hear, ‘oh well, you’ve had grants’, but they only help businesses like mine to tread water.”

Local councillor Steven Bridgett agreed to do a grand ‘opening closing’ of the road.

He said: “The road outside the Newcastle House is one of the few in Rothbury that you could say is a defunct road.

"It’s not really needed and it’s not used as much as the others. I don’t think its temporary closure to allow the Newcastle House to open outside will cause any major problems.

"Businesses have had such a hard time of the past year. As a council we need to do everything we can to support them and make it as easy as possible for them to trade and get back some of the money they have lost. I am pleased the council has been able to help out in this case.”

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