Bishop Auckland company Caps Off has announced it will soon be returning to the town centre with an exciting new venture that will also mean the creation of 15 new jobs.
As part of the vast redevelopment of 47 Newgate Street, Caps Off will be opening a bar and restaurant on the ground floor of the building. Work is already underway on the other two floors to convert the old Burton menswear store into luxury apartments.
The 47 Newgate Street project has been supported through the Property Reuse Fund with the restoration work being funded by
Historic England and Durham County Council through the Conservation Area Grant Scheme, particularly to restore the shop front and historic façade of what will now be the new Caps Off venue.
As well as selling a selection of locally produced craft beer, cider and spirits, the new venue will be open all day serving morning coffees and brunch as well as dinner and evening cocktails. The kitchen will be offering tasty dishes inspired from across the world. It is hoped an open flame grill will bring something new to the food offer in the town with an Argentinian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean
influenced menu. The Caps Off brewing company was started around four years ago by childhood friends David Garnett and
Ali Wild, who both grew up in Bishop Auckland. The pair pride themselves on creating relaxed and informal spaces which are family friendly – including four-legged family members, as dogs are welcome in all of their venues.
The business has a small team who currently operate out of the taproom at Unit 4, Century Court. Here they hold a range of events from Lairy Laughs Comedy Night to live music and DJs. Something which will also be on offer in the new venue.
Once the work on the new site is complete, the current taproom will remain open but with a smaller capacity for events. This will allow for more tanks in the taproom to growing demand. The new venture will provide an opportunity to expand the team, creating at least 15 jobs in the town. Ali Wild told us: “As a Bishop Auckland business, it’s fantastic to know we are coming back into the town centre. High streets are changing to become less retail and more leisure focused in every town and city – and we want to be part of that.
“We hope our new venue will bring a relaxed informal social space, where people can enjoy some good food and the best local produce.”
