A PUB manager has hit back at critics who have labelled a Darlington venue as a hot spot for disorder.

Chris Metters, of the Boot & Shoe on Church Row, said he is determined to improve the image of the town centre venue despite an alleged assault outside the pub last Saturday.

A video of the incident shared on social media shows a doorman allegedly attacking a man who was removed from the pub.

The Northern Echo:

Footage shows the doorman swinging for the man before wrestling him to the ground and restraining him.

Durham Constabulary said it was investigating the incident, and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

Chris confirmed the security company which managed the door staff has stepped down, and he is now keen to move on from the incident.

"It's upsetting, and the amount of work me and my wife have done has been ruined by what has happened," he said.

"I took a run down pub that was being used as a fun house and have cleaned it up.

"I am not going to stand by and watch it be torn apart because of the actions of one person who wasn't under our control."

READ MORE: Investigation launched after alleged assault outside Boot & Shoe in Darlington

Since the incident, Chris said staff have been subjected to death threats and people have been throwing eggs and coffee at the pub.

The pub has also received a tirade of abuse online.

He said: "We have had threats from members of the public, including a petition threatening to remove us as tenants.

"Some of the vile comments made are unsubstantiated.

"It's becoming a witch hunt."

Chris insists the pub has come on 'leaps and bounds' since he took it over three-and-a-half years ago and hopes the ongoing Euros tournament and recent hot weather will contribute to improving the pub's image and help attract more customers.

Chris added: "We regret the situation in its entirety."