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TRANSFORMATION of a Barnard Castle nightclub into a trendy, Mediterranean style bar is proving to be a hit with visitors.
It is little surprise that ‘CroBar on Horsemarket has been winning rave reviews from visitors since opening last year. The bar, nestled against the historic castle walls has the look and feel of a Greek taverna, not at all what you’d expect to find in a North East market town.
Owners Roy and Sharon Sutton with the help of their 3 sons, Luke, Andy and Josh, began renovation of the former Wine Bar during lockdown, rebranding to ‘CroBar when they opened again last year and are keen to encourage more locals to seek them out.
Roy said “We have been getting a lot of tourists in and the feedback we get from people is great”
There was one lady who walked around saying “Wow, wow, wow” whilst another wrote on social media “I walked down a small alleyway in the centre of Barnard Castle and found myself in Greece!”
Relaxing, chilled out, cafe bar style music throughout the whole premises and garden adds to the overall ambiance and experience.
The inconspicuous entrance, sandwiched between a hair salon and a jeweller provides access from the main street. Venture down the wood clad, fairy light lit alleyway and prepare to be delighted with just how the space opens up into an absolute sun trap of several different seating areas – “It’s like a Tardis” one recent visitor said.
Roy added “I like to say that we’re challenging to find but rewarding when you do”
Work to complete two more phases of the renovation include a newly fitted out ‘Craft and Cask Bar’ with a fully refurbished and modernised but quirky washroom facility and a kitchen refit introducing a new and exciting eating experience which the couple are aiming to unveil before the end of the summer.
For the dog owners amongst you the bar is ‘dog friendly’ and has bowls and biscuit treats at the ready.
‘Crobar is open on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 2.00pm until 7.00pm and on Friday and Saturday from noon until 9.00pm – or later – depending on how busy the bar is.
![A COUNTY councillor is backing a campaign to get a pedestrian crossing in Staindrop. Frustrated parish councillors in the village summoned their county council representative Cllr George Richardson to their latest meeting to discuss several issues, including the call for a safe way to cross the A688. Earlier this year their request for a crossing was turned down by the county council’s highways officers. Parish council chairman Jonothan Raper described the reasons for the refusal as “spurious” and called on Cllr Richardson to support their campaign. He added: “One of the arguments they made was there is no clear line of desire when they studied the village – well this isn’t a clear line of desire because there isn’t a crossing, people cross whenever they can. “When the lollipop person was there, one of the things I noticed was people would walk all the way down to the lollipop person to cross the road to go to the shop or to go to the school.” He added a problem of parking at the primary school is exacerbated because people are too afraid to walk their children across the road. Cllr Richardson said he had supported previous attempts for a crossing point with the first being made about 15 years ago. He added: “We went fairly well down the road with that and they looked into it. The only recommended place was where the bus stop is and to get the visibility splays, people on the other side of the road would lose their parking. “That didn’t go down well so it just died a death.” Cllr Raper said he suspected the real reason for the officers’ refusal was the cost of installing a crossing. He added that much of the cost could be recovered from savings made on not having to employ a lollipop patrol. Cllr Raper said: “A lollipop person only provides a benefit of crossing for three hours of the day. You are getting 21 extra hours of crossing time [with a pedestrian crossing].” Cllr Richardson said he would raise the issue with the county council’s cabinet member for highways, Cllr John Shuttleworth.](https://teesdalemercury.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/georgeR-120x86.jpg)
