Darlington couple to open steampunk microbar The Other Side

Andrew and Rachel Maughan are hard at work on Houndgate putting the finishing touches to The Other Side, their new micropub and off licence set to open later this year. 

The couple have used their love of the Victorian era - having tied the knot in steampunk clothing at the now Hopetown Museum in 2018 - to inspire the decor at the unique new spot.

Andrew and Rachel Maughan(Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

The venture may have been months in the making for Andrew, 60, and Rachel, 48, but the history of the town centre building stretches much further back.

What will soon become The Other Side was once a part of the Coaching House Inn, although most people knew it by its previous name of the Olde Tavern in the Town. 

The Other Side, on Houndgate, Darlington(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The Other Side, in Darlington(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

‘The Tav’, which could hold up to 800 people in its six bars, changed its name to the Old Coaching House – or 'the Coachy' – in the early 1980s. 

It closed in 1983 and was transformed into several smaller units, one of which is now Vesuvio and one that will soon be known as The Other Side. 

The Old Coaching House(Image: )

The Old Coaching House(Image: )

3B Houndgate specifically has taken on many forms over the years itself, including travel stores, hair specialists, and most recently the Triple G's takeaway. 

And after working in various bars across the town over the years, from The Quakerhouse and Voodoo Cafe to Vesuvio next door, Andrew and Rachel, who both live in Darlington, are now ready to take on their own challenge. 

Andrew, who also works as an operations support manager at Ineos in Newton Aycliffe, said: “We started transforming the place on May 1 and have just applied for the licence. 

One of the lighting fixtures at The Other Side(Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

“It has taken a lot of work, an immense amount of work. 

“We will be offering real ales and craft ales along with normal spirits like gin and whiskey. We also hope to be an off-licence. 

“We think it will fit well into the little Houndgate; Vesuvio is right next to us, we’ve got House of Hop, and Sortie Charcuterie and Bar over the road."

Inside The Other Side, on Houndgate(Image: CONTRIBUTOR)

“I think it will make it a bit of a destination area for a night out and will attract more people to the area than is currently there.” 

The revamp has been a labour of love for Andrew, who has been a member of CAMRA since 1986 and was chairman of the Darlington branch in the late 80s.

He explained: “It would have [cost a lot] but I have done it all myself, which is why it is taking time. It has been very labour intensive. 

“We’re hoping to be open for Halloween but I don’t think we are going to get all the permissions. I think it will be mid to late November when we open”. 

More details will be shared about The Other Side in due course - with the couple not wanting to give too much away just yet.

A premises licence application has since been lodged with Darlington Borough Council, alongside a retrospective change of use application to change it from a hot food takeaway to a public house and off licence.

Both are awaiting a decision.