A NORTH-EAST pub didn’t let Covid stop its annual Christmas Day celebrations – although regulars had to wait until May for their favourite festive event.

The Nursery Inn, in Hartlepool, marked the festive occasion today, following its 12 days of Christmas theme which began when the pub reopened its doors on May 17.

When the pandemic forced the pub to shut at the end of 2020, manager Deborah Humberston was true to her word when she said they would celebrate the festive season once they were able to.

Deborah, 49, who has ran the pub for nine years, said: “We do Christmas every year, it’s a massive thing in the pub because we all love it.

“We always do a 12 days of Christmas theme where every night one of the customers get to open the advent to see what they win.

“On the last Sunday before Christmas we always do a a carol service with a brass band but this year we didn’t get to do it because we were closed.

“We said as soon as we were open and people could come inside we would organise Christmas. We’ve done the advent which took us up to Saturday night and then this is Christmas Day.

“We’ve had Christmas ties, we’ve had Christmas underwear and we’ve had Christmas jumpers, T-shirts being worn”

Usually the advent treats consist of selection boxes and other festive goodies, but this year Deborah has had to adapt – offering rounds of drinks, shots, and bags of sweets.

However, the carol service still went ahead with Father Christmas on hand to deliver gifts thanks to donations by customers as part of a secret Santa.

“We had our inflatable Santa and Rudolph up outside and the whole pub has been completely decorated for Christmas,” Deborah added.

“We had the decorations up already for Christmas in case we were allowed to open because we didn’t know the at the time.

“When we didn’t open we decided we would do it as soon as we could inside so we left most of them up.”

The pub has been operating on a no-booking, first come basis but Deborah has been delighted with how the May festivities have been received by the locals.

In the run-up to the event, customers were even offered a free shot if they wore a Christmas T-shirt or jumper to help get them in the spirit.

She added: “It has been great to see all of the regulars coming enjoying it. Even if it’s been outside in horrendous weather, they have still sat under heaters and blankets.

“I live at the pub which it made it tough when we were closed having to come back to an empty pub. But now we’re reopen things are getting back to more like normal.”