A VILLAGE pub that has been closed for almost two years will re-open this Wednesday (July 9) - returning to the same family that managed it 60 years ago.
Rachel Chapman is the new owner of the Three Tuns at Toft Hill, near Bishop Auckland.
The 31-year-old has worked in the pub trade for more than a decade and is the great niece of Bert and Nora Mangles who ran the pub in 1955.
She said: “The pub used to be known as the heart of the community and I am hoping that the Three Tuns will bring back that sense of community.”
“My dad passed away in April of last year and before he died he kept telling me that his wish was for me to own and run my own pub.
“I feel that re-opening and refurbishing the Three Tuns will allow me to make his wish come true and I know he will be proud.”
She plans to develop the restaurant and hotel facilities and is hoping to arrange local weekend football league teams, as well as pool, dominoes and darts teams.
Doors will open at 5pm.
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