A DARLINGTON landlord has a special connection with his latest venture – it is his father’s old haunt.

Dave Johnson took over the Hole in the Wall pub at the beginning of September.

The 37-year-old from Darlington, who also runs The Chequers Inn and Avalon, said: “It was somewhere my dad drank when I was a kid - my mum and I used to come in and get him.

“I felt it had lost its way a little in the changing face of the industry. It was etched on my mind that it should be doing a lot better.

“I was nervous because we spent 18 days completely redecorating it. The new look is a radical change but the response has been great. My arm was sore from the first weekend because everyone said what a good job we had done and kept shaking my hand.

“The whole experience has been much more than I thought it would be. It has been an emotional rollercoaster.

“My dad was gobsmacked when I told him I was taking it on. He really liked it.”

The pub is relying on local breweries, butchers and grocers for its new menu, which includes venison and merlot pie, salmon burgers and cheese on toast.

Operations manager David Sturrock, 32, added: “We have been working closely with several breweries to get a great community atmosphere.

“Using suppliers from the area means we have a much better understanding of our products.”

The Hole in the Wall will have its first quiz night on Wednesday, November 12. There is live music from Jake Taylor and Anna Leigh Stainton this weekend.