First look inside new Cherry Tree Cocktail Bar in Darlington

The former Avalon, on Blackwellgate, is currently undergoing a major renovation as teams transform it into the Cherry Tree Cocktail Bar. 

This week, the Avalon logo has been taken down from above the windows of the building, and the exterior has been given a fresh lick of paint from a blue colour to black. 

The former Avalon in Darlington (Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

The interior is also continuing to be fully stripped back - with posts online teasing that the new venue will be “opening soon”. 

New pictures from the inside of the venue have teased how the bar will look, showing elegant light fixtures hanging from the ceiling and a giant ace of spades card placed on top of a red wall. 

Work is continuing on the new interior of the Cherry Tree Cocktail Bar, formerly home to Avalon, in Darlington (Image: CHERRY TREE) Work is continuing on the new interior of the Cherry Tree Cocktail Bar, formerly home to Avalon, in Darlington (Image: CHERRY TREE)

An opening date for the Cherry Tree is not yet known with excited punters told to "watch this space" - but some are already saying they “can’t wait” for it to open.

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As previously reported, it was the “end of an era” when Avalon confirmed it had closed the doors for good last month, following a brief reopening for Euros matches over summer. 

It initially closed back in March, when bosses cited “rising costs of utilities, rent increases, staff cost, alcohol tax increases, business rates, taxes” and more on the closure. 

It's official closure announcement was met with sadness but also hope for the future, with one person saying: "Good luck to the new owners and team... Hopefully, it does well and thrives once more."