A POPULAR boozer is now under new management after a "local legend" handed over the keys to a name which could be familiar to some.
The Beehive in Sunniside, near Houghton-le-Spring, has been taken over by North East publican John Stirk after being family-run for almost four decades.
The pub, which is on Sedgeletch Road and still features the Vaux brewery name inside, had been run by Jimmy Foley and his wife, Linda since the early 80s.
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Mr Stirk, who had signed a lease in January, also owns The Butcher's Deli in Durham City and Stirks Italian at both The Belmont and Broadway in Sunderland.
Speaking to The Northern Echo, he revealed his bold plans to give the pub a new lease of life in a bid to make it one of the "best" in the North East.
He said: "I'm over the moon that I've been trusted with this pub. I know what it means to Jimmy, Linda and their daughter Donna and I know what it means to the community.
"We had a mutual friend who said Jimmy was wanting to retire and he knew I was looking to do a bit more, and it was a good fit - the negotiations were quick."
Mr Stirk, who has a ten-year lease with the Foley family, agreed to take on all twelve full and part-time staff and will be spending as much as £300,000 on improvements.
With the work starting on March 1, the pub is expected to stay open during the majority of the refurbishment with the works carried out in stages.
From the expansion of the restaurant area, interior and exterior refurbishment and upgraded kitchen facilities, it is set to be transformed, but remain familiar.
Explaining it will be one of the biggest projects of his career, Mr Stirk said a big focus on the pub would be its food, while preserving its "special" character, name and appeal.
He said: "We're retaining the Beehive name and we're keen to keep some of the original features including the Foley lights."
"Jimmy and Linda told me before I came in that they didn't have customers, they had friends, and after six weeks I see what they mean."
Mr Foley, originally from Scotland and had moved to Wearside where wife Linda is from, had run the pub since the 80s, building up a huge reputation in the area.
Saying he "trusted" Mr Stirk and his plans based on his other projects so far, he said he was the "right" person for the job after being approached several times before.
Mr Stirk said he had "big shoes to fill," and added: "It's a special place and now my job is to absolutely build on what I've been left.
"This place is a sleeping giant, we have got great locals and the team we have are great people - watch this space."
The pub is open from Monday to Friday 12pm til 11pm, Saturday 12pm to 12am and Sunday 12pm til 11pm.
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