BEERS mingled with tears as regulars said an emotional farewell to their favourite pub – and signed off in time-honoured tradition by drinking it dry.
Morpeth’s Old Red Bull – which dates back to 1780 – has survived being closed by the worst flooding in the town’s history, and a severe blaze which required its rebuilding at the turn of the century.
But now it is set to disappear to make way for a £24m supermarket development in the Low Stanners area, where it has been a popular watering hole for more than two centuries.
The pub closed for the final time at the weekend as regular customers drowned their sorrows to say goodbye to landlord Dean Henderson and his wife Lindsey, who have run it for 20 years.
It was packed out on Saturday night and last orders had to be called earlier than expected when it ran out of draught beer – leaving customers having to make do with bottles.
Departing regulars scribbled their own personal messages of thanks and appreciation on the pub’s door as it closed for the final time, before heading off in search of a new local.
The free house, which has been in Mr Henderson’s family for many years, will be demolished as part of the work to build a new superstore by Yorkshire-based developer Dransfield Properties.
It has built up a reputation as a friendly and welcoming pub, and regulars are said to be angry and sad at its demise.
