A POPULAR pub will reopen to customers this week.

The Steakhouse at The Blue Bell, Mickley will reopen for service after being taken over by the new owners, Lauren and Gavin Rafferty.

Lauren and Gavin, who have both been in the hospitality industry for years, are looking forward to welcoming customers to the pub on Thursday, July 11 for drinks before opening food service on Friday, July 12.

The pair hope to bring it back to being a local pub with good food.

Inside the restaurantInside the restaurant (Image: Supplied)

"The locals have been crying out for the pub to come back and we just want to give them back what they all want," Lauren said.

The new steakhouse menu will offer a varied selection, from burgers and steaks to vegetarian options and some seafood dishes.

The Sunday lunch menu will offer roast dinners including rib of beef, Northumbrian leg of lamb and roast pork with crackling.

"As soon as I made the Facebook page it just went absolutely wild," she added.

Lauren said: "We're looking forward to welcoming everyone back and returning it to a good local pub."

The beer garden is under refurbishment and will be open for customers from Thursday.