A beloved village bar near Darlington has banned children from entering without an adult following “disgusting verbal abuse”.

The Grange Bar, in Hurworth, announced the new restrictions this week following reported anti-social behaviour towards the bar manager on Friday evening (October 25). 

Bosses said directors of the bar - which is located at the Hurworth Grange Community Centre off Hurworth Road - made the decision alongside Durham Constabulary. 

In a post on Facebook, the bar said: “Due to antisocial behaviour and disgusting verbal abuse towards The Bar Manager on Friday evening October 25. 

“The police and directors of The Hurworth Grange Bar have said no children will be allowed in the building unless accompanied by an adult.” 

The news was met with sadness from the community online, with one person branding it as “so very sad and awful”. They said: “We always say what nice kids there are Hurworth.”

Some customers said it was a “terrible shame” and offered their apologies that staff had been subjected to the alleged abuse. 

Another added: “It’s a shame that the minority spoil it for the others but your staff need to be safe and it needs to be a safe space for your customers. Sad times.”

The Grange Bar has been operating as a bar for the Hurworth community for decades, having been originally built in 1875 as a mansion. 

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It became a community hub in 1967, with the mansion’s games room being remodelled into a bar around 40 years ago.

Along with many bars, it was forced to close during the Covid lockdown, however, it reopened in 2021 following a major refurbishment that unveiled some of the building’s original features, including a green marble fireplace, wall panelling, and hardwood parquet flooring.

The “amazing” venue is often praised as the “true heart of the village”, with punters saying it “does so much for the community of Hurworth”.