The Three Crowns, in Darlington, has reopened ten months since it initially closed down. 

The pub, located on Archer Street in Darlington, was put up for sale as the pub group did not believe it has a "long term, sustainable future". 

Despite the licensee at the time not wanting the pub to shut, Admiral Taverns, who owns around 1,600 community pubs up and down the country, put the pub up for sale in May of 2023, with the pub closing in June of last year. 

New owner Lewis Metcalfe said: "Its been a bit of a whirlwind getting it opened. I only decided to take it on in November so it has been all hands on deck. 

"But so far, the reception has been really good 

"Our opening night was Thursday last week (March 7), and plenty of people came for our first weekend back open.

"It was a great opening and people seem really happy that the pub is back open again - the community seems chuffed."

Lewis, who has worked in the pub industry for the last seven years, said that the team "had not known about the plans for that long" but paid tribute to everyone's efforts getting the venture up and running. 

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The newly reopened pub prides itself on its "community feel", with the pool team in on Thursday, darts every Friday, bingo on a Sunday, and sports shown live. 

There are even plans in the works for a quiz night a couple of times a month. 

Former Three Crowns licensee Daniel Lowe moved onto the site of the Bondgate Tavern, in Darlington Centre, last summer.