Bernard hits the bar
A FORMER Newcastle United defender is set to become a pub landlord, as he relaunches a closed Blyth venue.
Ex-Magpies left-back Olivier Bernard has partnered with pal Dang Vuong to refurbish the Mason Arms, in the town.
He said: “I’ve always wanted to open a pub, but not only a pub: I wanted a more family feel, it’s going to be more a gastro-restaurant/pub, not somewhere you just go to sit and have a drink.
“I’m very keen on my food, so everything is going to be very tasty. It’s all about making people feel welcome.”
It’s been a bumpy ride to becoming pub owners for the pair, who had hoped to hold their grand opening at the start of
April – before lockdown forced them to put their plans on hold.
The pub closed its doors in 2018, and its new owners say they have used lockdown for extra renovations – and to make sure they are set up to allow for social distancing as restrictions start to lift.
“It was horrible to not be able to open, but in a way I think it will turn out to be a good thing for us,” Olivier said. “We had only just taken it over and we were going to open, but after thinking about it we realised there were a few bits to be done, so we’ve had a couple of months to change the vibe of the place, we’ve got a lot more seating areas, so it feels more like a brasserie restaurant. “We’re working on the beer garden, because we know in terms of social distancing it’s a lot easier outside. “Inside we’re separating out the tables more: it’s just little things we have to do, because we’re going to have to wait a while before things get back to normal.”
The French full-back endeared himself to Magpies fans during a successful five-year stint at St James’ Park from 2000 to 2005.
Bernard returned to United 18 months later but was forced to retire from football in 2007.
He has recently spoken out about his mental health struggles since leaving the game at just 28.
Since then he has found a number of other ways to channel his passion for football, buying nonleague club Durham City AFC and working with the charity Show Racism the Red Card.
Now, he’s keen to make a success of becoming a pub boss, and is keen to welcome customers as soon as it’s safe.
He added: “We’re desperate to open: from day one when we took it over we wanted to start. We can’t wait for the end of lockdown.”
I’ve always wanted to open a pub ... I wanted a family feel, it’s going to be more a gastrorestaurant/pub Olivier Bernard