Partner Article

Blackbird flies again

A POPULAR NORTHUMBERLAND venue is to relaunch following a takeover by North East leisure firm, Principle Leisure Group (PLG).

The Blackbird Inn at North Road, Ponteland, was taken over by PLG earlier this year as part of the firm’s continued plans to expand across the North East region and is re-opening its doors on Tuesday, August 24, after an extensive refurbishment.

The venue, which is in a listed building on the site of the former Ponteland Castle and was once a favourite haunt of PLG’s Managing Director, Stuart Young, has been given a new modern look complete with restructured bar and designated seating areas, as well as a new décor scheme in-keeping with its rich history.

PLG is also introducing two new food menus, specifically designed with a gastro pub style flavour, and a wider selection of drinks, including ales and cocktails, to suit varied tastes.

All of the food will be cooked and prepared on site by Ponteland local Lucas Morrison, who has worked as PLG’s Executive Head Chef for more than three years, and is one of 20 new appointments made at the Blackbird Inn following PLG’s takeover.

Nick Berg, marketing manager for Principle Leisure Group, said: “The building which houses the Blackbird Inn is believed to date back to the 13th century.

“We were very sympathetic to this during our works but were also keen to combine it with a slightly more contemporary feel, offering the kind of style and comfort that modern visitors love, to really make it the best of both worlds.”

To celebrate its relaunch, The Blackbird Inn will be hosting a special family funday on Bank Holiday Monday (August 30), including a free BBQ in the garden and children’s entertainment such as face painting and a bouncy castle.

Mr Berg added: “The Blackbird has been a mainstay of the Ponteland community for decades and we wanted to give people a chance to celebrate its makeover and enjoy all that it now has to offer. What better way to do that than to open our doors to local families and offer them a free day of fun.”

The Blackbird Inn is PLG’s second venue in Northumberland and brings the company’s portfolio to a total of eleven bars and restaurants, including, San Lorenzo in Cramlington and Gosforth, Ristorante Fiume in Washington, Popolo in Newcastle and the recently opened Coffee A-Go-Go in the city centre.

The firm hopes to add to this list throughout 2010, with a new venue set to open in Eldon Garden shopping centre later this summer and plans to open its first site on Teesside before the end of the year.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .