AN IT consultant has swapped computing for the pub trade after buying a County Durham pub.

Neil Pearson decided to fulfil his lifetime's ambition by buying the freehold of the Brown Jug Inn, in Evenwood Gate, between Staindrop and West Auckland, County Durham.

The pub is an old coaching inn thought to date from about 1750 and while Mr Pearson and his wife, Joanne, want to preserve the traditional air of the pub, they have a few changes in mind.

He said: "I would like to offer a range of at least four real ales, and in the distant future, I am thinking about setting up a micro-brewery with my brother-in-law, who is a former head brewer.

"I would also like to promote the pub's family side too - with four young children we know how difficult it is to get good-quality pub food for all the family. We are already gearing up for the busy summer season, when the pub gets a lot of passing trade."

The couple bought the freehold with advice from Gordon Brown Associates, in Chester-le-Street, which helped with conveyancing, liquor licensing and other legal matters.

Published: 08/06/2004