Thirsty villagers
TAVERN IS THOUGHT TO BE VILLAGE’S FIRST PUB IN YEARS
Reporter A village which is believed to have been without a watering hole for 17 years has welcomed the opening of a pint-sized micropub.
Owner Stephen Olver has enjoyed a successful first month at the Railway Tavern in Rowlands Gill.
The micropub opened on Station Road in the premises of a former glass art studio last month, and former financial adviser Stephen says the new boozer has enjoyed a positive start.
He said: “It’s been a very successful venture so far, the people of the village are really supporting us.
“It’s been brilliant, I’m loving it and it’s nice to meet people.
“I have lived in the area for about 12 years and people come in who you’ve never seen before, and they’re coming in and complimenting us on how nice it is.”
Plans for the opening of the micropub – which serves real ales, fine wines and spirits – initially caused a debate in the village.
Petitions for and against the opening of the Railway Tavern were launched before Gateshead Council granted owner Stephen a new premises licence.
Much of the initial opposition stemmed from the perception a long-standing religious covenant on the land prevented the opening of an alehouse or pub.
Stephen, 61, said: “Everybody seemed to think there was some sort of bylaw about opening a pub.
“There was a covenant on the land but that was put on back in 1925 – the chances of people coming along about this covenant from that time is very small.”
But since opening, Stephen says the micropub is the first in Rowlands Gill since 2000 and has received nothing but praise for offering a more relaxed alternative to the village’s social clubs.
He added: “I have not had any