A village pub, also known as ‘The Christmas pub’ has wowed residents and passersby with its impressive decorations, which have lit up the quaint village ahead of the festive season.
Sean Drinkel, landlord of The Derry in Long Newton, Stockton, said the pub is “back in action”, following a precarious few years of closures.
After taking over the pub two years ago, the landlord has given the pub a new lease of life, with a full revamp inside, and is now on a mission to put the pub back on the map.
He said: “The pub was open and closed for a long time - it was voted best beer garden in lockdown but then opened and closed again. But its slowly getting there now with more people coming through the doors.”
This Christmas, Sean has decked out the pub in thousands of lights, baubles, and life-size decorations, including its very own grotto - to the delight of village residents and social media users alike.
Sean said: “I love Christmas - my favourite time of the year is decorating the inside and outside of the pub to light up the village.
“I’ve been doing this for the last six years now, but this year I’ve created a grotto to extend the decoration from inside the pub to the outside.
“We have customers who regularly say this is the best decorated pub they have ever been to.
“We are now known as the Christmas pub, and they call me Mr Christmas.”
When it comes to the Christmas decorations, Sean and the team have invested a huge amount of time, effort and money into the extravaganza, and have even gone all out this year with a smoke machine.
Following a light switch-on event last Friday (November 28), the landlord said the response was “incredible”.
He said: “On launch night, the carpark was gridlock.
“Seeing the pub filled with families, friends, little ones with sparkling eyes, and everyone soaking up the festivities really made the long day worth every second.
“We had a Santa and a live singer outside with hot dogs, jacket potatoes, hot chocolate, and it went really well.”
After the successful switch on, the landlord took to social media to thank the residents for making it so special
He said: “Tonight’s light switch on was something special, and it wouldn’t have meant half as much without all of you who came along to share it with us.
“A heartfelt thank you to Kayleigh for filling the night with her beautiful voice, and to Santa for giving so many children (and adults!) a moment they’ll remember.
“It’s been a whirlwind since 6am this morning, the torrential rain storm and the wind has nearly blew me into next year, but now I’m finally sat in my PJs, tired but genuinely grateful.
“Nights like this remind us why we do what we do.
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“Thank you for being part of our Derry family and for making the start of Christmas so magical.”
As Christmas swiftly approaches, the pub is also providing further festive events for families to enjoy, including breakfast with Santa or festive afternoon tea in one of their private heated pods.
Sean added: “Santa will be here on the 13th and the 20th of December for breakfast, where the children get a gift, breakfast and photo opportunities and a little certificate to say they’re on the ‘nice list’”.
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