The bar is stocked and a fresh pile of wood has been chopped in readiness for the launch day of a new pub on Gibside estate.
The Garden Tap Pub is a venture between the National Trust property in Rowlands Gill and Firebrick Brewery in Blaydon and is all set to opens its doors to the public at noon on Friday. And it no doubt it will prove a huge draw over the summer for visitors with its menu of food, drink and - if all goes according to plan - some music entertainment too.
That stock of beechwood - which also can be seen as part of the design of the bar - has been cut for use in the wood-fired pizza oven which will be action on launch night and then from noon every Friday, until 9pm, and Saturdays until 6pm.
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Sited opposite the café area, the pub is a conversion from what used to be a bakery - with an adjoining butcher - on the estate and makes use of the bakery's original oven for its pizza-making. Outside is plenty of outdoor space which it intends to make full use of too, with plenty of outdoor seating where, in good weather, customers will be able to enjoy a beer in the sun. There also will be fire pits for cooler evenings.
The building is unrecognisable from its bakery days, with the conversion involving knocking down a wall between the two businesses and creating a modern and stylish bar area.
On display is a range of Firebrick's brews, whose names are inspired by the region, including - on draft - Why Aye PA, Toon Broon and Giuseppe lager: the later named after the famous Italian, Giuseppe Garibaldi, who visited Tyneside.
There are also shelves stacked with a range of Firebrick's bottles and cans. The brewery's owner Alistair Lawrence said: "These are all reflective of the heritage of the area," pointing out beers inspired by the likes of Cushy Butterfield; a Newcastle striker's shirt and trade along the Tyne.
The brewery itself is named after a former brickworks. Beers will be available in pints or thirds and other options include Stella Spark, a citrus blond and its best-seller, Pagan Queen. Wines are on offer too, as are spirits which also feature local connections.
It's a family-friendly pub and a welcoming space with books and colouring activities provided for children. There are even musical instruments, if anyone fancies picking up one of the newly-tuned guitars or ukulele to play.
Alistair has plenty ideas for the pub, which - following laid-back afternoons - is set to take on a whole vibe in the evenings. He hopes to hold the occasional music night and will be chatting to Gibside about the idea of a monthly Saturday night event showcasing local bands.
While the initial idea is for a summer pub, with opening until autumn, Alistair says it will be open for special events too. These include Gibside's summer shows - it is hosting a performance of Cinderella on August 4 followed by Romeo & Juliet on August 17 - and its annual Christmas trail.
There will be games - such as quoits and boules - to play in that space outdoors too.
The Garden Tap Pub will open from Wednesday to Saturday, from noon until 6pm (9pm Friday). There is an admission charge to Gibside - although entry is free to National Trust members - and the estate is also open until 9pm over the summer.
Ashleigh Watson, senior marketing and communications officer for Gibside, Washington and Penshaw, said of the new addition to the estate: "It has a real communal feel and everyone is really excited about it." It is to be followed by another new attraction over at Gibside's stables.
This area will house arts and heritage activities including the likes of a tweed-maker, and visitors will be able to sign up for workshops. For more information and for the full programme of what will be available at Gibside for half-term see here.
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