The Ranch steak house in Seaham prepares to open one of town's largest beer gardens

This week sees the opening of a swathe of businesses as the country eases out of lockdown, from non-essential shops, gyms and salons to outdoor spaces at cafes, restaurants and pubs.

Over the past few months, The Ranch, which is housed in the historic Mill Inn, which dates back to the early 1800s, has been extending its outdoor space.

The renovations have also seen the creation of sister business The Barn, a separate bar and function room housed within the grounds of the popular steak house in Stockton Road.

The outdoor areas will open from 3pm on Wednesday, April 14.

Grant Bulmer, who runs The Barn, said they can’t wait to welcome their loyal customers back.

"We had already created the extended areas last year and were all ready to go. Then two days later lockdown hit,” he explained. “It will be great to finally see people using the spaces we’ve created.

"We already had a lot of functions booked in for The Barn which all had to be cancelled, so we’re looking forward to being able to open that for functions when we can.”

He added: “It’s been a difficult time and we’ve had to adapt. But we can’t wait to have people back and for people to have some drinks and fun. Seaham is really supportive of its local businesses, it has a great community spirit.”

Grant is also hoping to forge ahead with plans for the site, which include an Air B’n’B with its own hot tub.

Food from The Ranch, which will be reopening for sit in after May 17, will be served to the outdoors areas and there’s new additions to the menu to tuck into, on top of its signature steaks.

Options include starters such as black pudding and peas pudding croquet, macaroni cheese bacon balls, Ranch specials such as crab and king prawn linguine and surf & turf linguine, cowboy trays such as a full rack of ribs and a Ranch sizzler, a range of loaded fries and steaks, as well as kids options.

*Ranch and The Barn will be open Wednesdays to Fridays, from 3pm to 10pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from noon until 10pm.

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