A PUBLICAN has revealed the fate of a popular Darlington venue after it did not reopen its outdoor area on April 12.

Eager patrons of The Woollen Mill at Feethams in the town centre were left disappointed after the venue did not reopen last Monday.

It comes as restrictions on outdoor hospitality were lifted with food and drink venues permitted to serve customers outside.

Read more: 100 plus beer gardens and restaurants opening in County Durham and Darlington on April 12

But the pub's manager has explained the Hungry Horse branded pub will instead be opening once restrictions on indoor hospitality are lifted.

Grahame Redgrave, general manager at The Woollen Mill, said: “We’re really looking forward to reopening from the 17 May and welcoming our customers back when indoor hospitality is allowed under the government’s roadmap.

"We’re busy working really hard in preparation for reopening.”

From May 17, indoor mixing is set to be again permitted with the rule-of-six applying to indoor hospitality venues and private homes.

This will see the completion of the third step of the Government's roadmap out of national lockdown restrictions.

Currently there has been nothing to suggest that this will not be taking place on May 17 as other venues across the region have been preparing. 

It is understood that swathes of publicans across the region have chosen not to reopen outdoors over uncertainty on British weather and Covid case rates.