HOSPITALITY and events businesses have been heavily affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

One of those impacted is the The Garden Station, in Langley-on-Tyne.

The restored Victorian railway station has been run by Jill and Terry Gregg for nearly 10 years after they took it over in 2012.

"It came up on an advert and Jill had been a horticulturist, so we jumped at the chance," said Terry.

The Old Waiting Room building has a cafe space, wedding ceremony room, toilets and kitchen. It lies on the route of the disused railway line from Allendale to Hexham.

It also has the Leaning Shed building, which is usually a bar.

They host a variety of events, including weddings and parties.

With lockdown restrictions in place, Jill said the past year has been very difficult.

"Business has been nothing," she said.

"We have done takeaway stuff for a little while, but we want to get back to doing the events which is much better because you know exactly where you stand - how much to cook, how many people are coming."

Jill added: "It's still difficult because people don't trust what's been going on and what's happened, so it's just that uncertainty.

"People like certainty."

So far this year, The Garden Station has hosted three weddings.

It was announced last week that the further lifting of lockdown restrictions would be delayed for four more weeks.

However, as of Monday (June 21), the limit on the number of guests who can attend weddings and civil partnership ceremonies has been lifted.

The number of guests now able to attend is dependent on how many the venue can safely accommodate with social distancing measures in place.

The Garden Station has also hosted theatre and music events.

The venue is mostly outdoors, with large gardens and a woodland walk. The gardens are open every day of the week, all year round, but are closed when a private function is taking place.

The Garden Station has hosted retreats and events focused on mindfulness and wellness in the past, and this is something Jill and Terry want to do more of.

Terry said: "Now that people are struggling, with what's gone on, and now as people come out and get back in the real world, and the challenges of mixing with lots of people when they're not used to it, that could be a bit of overload for some people.

"So I think it's somewhere where they can escape to and talk about stuff, formally or informally."

They also do plant sales.