A LANDLORD has found himself in the doghouse with some village residents after he gave his pub an unusual makeover.

Simon Adamson, owner of the Spotted Dog, in High Coniscliffe, near Darlington, used the name of the pub as inspiration for a new look to try to attract more customers.

His 70-year-old father, Peter, not only came up with the idea but also donned his overalls to paint giant black spots on the pub’s exterior to give it a Dalmatian-style makeover.

However, the new paint job has landed father and son in a spot of bother because not all the locals are happy to see it that way.

Mr Adamson said: “It was a bit of a novelty idea. We are the Spotted Dog pub so we wanted to give the dog its spots back. It fits in with the pub and the signs because they are of Dalmatians.

“We are trying to improve the trade. Trade is extremely quiet at the moment. It’s obviously working because people are coming in and talking about it.”

Mr Adamson said he could paint over the spots if the villagers are too upset.

He said: “I don’t think it’s offensive. Children have come in and said, ‘Great. We are in a spotted dog pub’.

“Just up the road there’s a bright pink house. And in Piercebridge there’s a pink and blue house. We don’t want to cause any offence.

Everyone who has come in has said it’s fantastic. It doesn’t have to be permanent and can be painted over if people want.”

The paint job has received a mixed response in the village.

Ena Gowton, who is in her 80s, said: “I was born here, confirmed here and lived here all my life – there isn’t anyone who has lived here longer than me.

“To tell you the truth, I think it ruins the entrance to the village. I saw it for the first time yesterday. A friend had told me about it a few days before. I thought ‘What have they done here?’.”

Dorothy Crooks, 75, who has lived in High Coniscliffe for 50 years with her husband Dennis, said: “I don’t mind it, I think it’s a good thing if it helps business at the pub and it certainly draws your eye in.

“It is quite gimmicky, and no one has ever done anything like this before in the village, but I hope it brings him more trade.”