A North East wine and cocktail bar will be opening its doors later this month.

Ivy’s Wine and Cocktail Bar will be opening on Clifton Avenue in Billingham on February 20.

Leon Charnley, 23, from Billingham, owner of the bar, said he decided to open the venue as there was “nowhere in Billingham quite like it.”

He added he believes the business will serve as a convenient destination for those who do not wish to travel to Yarm for a night out.

Mr Charnley said: “Most people, if they want to go for a really decent cocktail or glass of wine, they’ve got to travel to Norton, but Norton’s closing down now, it’s not the ‘in thing’ anymore, so now they’ve got to travel to Yarm, and that’s even longer.

“With us in a cost-of-living crisis and taxi and bus fares going up, it’s not really ideal. So, it’s sort of giving back to the community.

“I’m a Billingham lad and it breaks my heart to see that Billingham’s sort of a dying town a little bit, it shouldn’t be, it’s got so much to offer.

“It’s about time that my generation started doing something for Billingham, and started pushing out, and get more people into the area.”

The venue will offer draught beer, Budvar, a selection of beer, soft drinks, and alcohol supplied by LWC Drinks Teesside.

Mr Charnley said the business has received a lot of support from the community and wished them luck.

The Northern Echo: Ivy’s Wine & Cocktail Bar will be opening its doors on Clifton Avenue in Billingham later this

He added the social media side of the venue has really boosted its profile and helped garner support.

Mr Charnley said he and his staff will work to engage with customers and help them feel like they can always talk to them.

He said he chose to open a micropub as it is a thriving model, and said he believes “bigger and bolder” pubs and nightclubs are struggling in a new era.

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The Northern Echo: Ivy’s Wine & Cocktail Bar will be opening its doors on Clifton Avenue in Billingham later this

“It is the smaller micropubs that are thriving and that’s what people want. There’s been a massive change,” Mr Charnley added.

“In my generation especially, more people prefer cocktails, chilling, just having a chat over a glass of wine. People don’t like to go out clubbing anymore, it’s a totally different atmosphere.

“[I’m] really excited, I can’t wait. I think it’s going to be really good, I can’t wait to meet everyone and get to know people.”