PUBS reopened at the start of this week - but only for outdoor service.
Now might be the right time for people to consider a new career in the hospitality trade.
Alternatively, with the reopening of the hospitality sector, it could be time for existing publicans to transfer to a new watering hole.
An experienced manager might also want to take on a new challenge with a 'wet'-only pub or one without outdoor space, testing your creativity as you take on Covid restrictions.
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Here we take a look at some of the pubs across Darlington and Teesside that need a new publican:
Joseph Pease, Darlington
The Joseph Pease is a large pub sat at the heart of Darlington, in the busy Tubwell Row area opposite bus stops and a shopping centre.
The pub has two main rooms, with the main bar and a second level, which is popular at weekends with a dance floor and DJ booth. To the back of the pub, there is also a small nightclub area that can trade until 3 am on Friday and Saturdays nights. Ingoing Cost: £10,500 Rent: £12,500.
Quays, Darlington
Close by the Joseph Pease is the Quays, meaning it too attracts footfall from Darlington's town centre, bus terminal and bustling market. The pub was refurbished in August 2017, with advertisers saying it is "in great condition". With one main bar, there are also catering kitchen and services are on the first floor.
The landlords are on the hunt for a progressive and entrepreneurial publican to develop the venue's food offering without losing its focus on cask ale and live music. Ingoing Cost: £7,000 Rent: £15,000
Turks Head, Darlington
The Pub Company, which owns the Turks Head, is on the hunt for a friendly self-motivated and energetic publican or couples who want to become a part of the pub scene in Bondgate, Darlington.
It currently boasts team gams, a pool area and is known for live entertainment and landlords are after an experienced manager to drive the pub forward.
While the pandemic means many of these are on hold for the moment, there is also a large beer garden. Ingoing Cost: £5,000
The Dubliners, Stockton
The Dubliners welcomed back customers this week, with its beer garden full of socially distanced groups enjoying the sun. It also has cark parking and dining facilities, which currently offers home-cooked pub classics.
The pub sits close to the centre of Stockton and between Stockton and Thornaby, near to a train station and the River Tees. It's also close to Durham University Queen's campus and Stockton Riverside College, including student accommodation, and offices.
As a result, advertisers say the pub is popular among residents, professionals and students. The landlords are looking for a positive and ambitious local operator. Minimum ingoing cost: £11,320. Rent: £25,500.
Three Horse Shoes, Billingham
The Three Horse Shoes sat at the heart of the Cowpen Bewley, close to the town of Billingham but a short drive from Stockton, Hartlepool and Middlesbrough. This gives it a good balance of country and city life. The pub, which has a large bar area and beer garden, is also near Seal Sands nature reserve, which brings footfall.
The pub owners are looking for an experienced publican who has a passion for delivering a quality food offer to maintain the Three Horseshoes reputation as a foodie venue at the centre of the community.
In the summer, the pub is known for its family fun days and BBQs. Ingoing cost: £6,750. Rent: £34,000.
- Information, from findmypub.com, was accurate at time of writing.
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