A pub has been awarded a grant to help it become revitalised under new owners.

The Coach and Horses Public House in Priestpopple, Hexham, has been awarded £240,000 by Northumberland County Council and Historic England through the Hexham High Streets Heritage Action Zone scheme (HSHAZ).

HSHAZ is part of a £95 million government-funded programme led by Historic England. 

Property owner Admiral Taverns, the UK’s leading community pub group, is also investing £460,000 into the restoration of the Coach and Horses.

Admiral Taverns’ Business Development Manager Stephen Birkett said: “Creating long-term, sustainable pub businesses is a core part of what we do, and we’re delighted with the investment in the Coach and Horses, alongside Northumberland County Council and Historic England.

"It’s a brilliant local pub which has a lot of potential to give back to its community, as well as a passionate licensee in place to drive the business forwards.

"We’re really excited to see the new look and the new accommodation will give even more opportunities to locals and travellers to the area.

The funding will be used to restore and upgrade the front of the Inn to make it a more attractive building within the Conservation Area.

Work will include the removal of the fake Tutor batons and the rendering of this frontage with new signage, lighting and doorway.

It will also become a more family-friendly dining pub by linking the two sides of the building together to form a more attractive and useable space. 

Northumberland County Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, cabinet member for Business said: “The Coach and Horses dates back to the early 1800s. It is an old coaching inn with a central coach arch and coach house to the rear of the premises, so it is a building of considerable historic interest.

“Not only is this project helping to improve the look of a building in a busy area of the town but it is also preserving and restoring some of Hexham’s important historical features and unique character for future generations to come."

Work is expected to commence later in the month.