A RISING regional brewery hopes to be pulling up trees in the pub world having reopened a well known city watering hole.

Whitley Bay-based Black Storm has opened its first pub south of the Tyne having acquired the Woodman Inn, in Durham, four months after it was closed by Admiral Taverns.

Black Storm has brightened up the traditional Gilesgate inn and reopened in time for the city’s biennial Lumiere light festival.

At any one time it will have three of the brewery’s award-winning six core beer brands on offer, alongside a selection of mainstream ales, lagers and ciders.

It also plans to run weekly themed events including ‘Toastie Tuesday’, Wednesday quiz night, ‘Free Pool Thursday’, ‘Gin Club Friday’, and ‘Pitcher Perfect’ Saturdays.

There is also a Cask Ale Club, offering hand-pulled pints for £2.95, from Monday to Thursday, between 12-noon and 5pm.

Licensee Paul Hughes is joined by right-hand man Carl Hamilton, a friend from Northumbria University days, plus trusty barman ‘Catalogue’ Tom Williams, while some former bar staff are being retained including Donna Boxx, daughter of former licensees Sean and Jane Quilty.

Mr Hamilton said first night trade was above expectation, with many former regulars returning, despite the four-month absence.