Ten years after transforming a derelict shop at the heart of a South Tyneside village, Blacks Corner is celebrating in style with a whole new look.

A decade ago, business partners Jonny Dryden and Chris Lowden took a leap of faith with taking on the old printers on the corner of St Bede’s in East Boldon, which had stood empty for three years.

Staff members Andrew Tutty and Elliette Bone at the new look Blacks Corner in East Boldon | Iconic Media Group

placeholder image — Staff members Andrew Tutty and Elliette Bone at the new look Blacks Corner in East Boldon | Iconic Media Group

They spent a year renovating it themselves and opened with a look that was ahead of its time, that went on to win prestigious design awards, and a food and drink ethos of championing small batch and farmhouse producers.

In an industry which has seen many neighbours come and go in 10 years, Blacks Corner is still going strong and the team decided to celebrate the milestone with a new look.

After a three-week refit, it’s created more space for walk ins at the bar, which is now triple the size, refurbished dusky pink banquets, more granite tables and bespoke lighting, repurposed panelling from the Tram Shelter in Seaburn and cafe-style curtains.

The team has marked 10 years in the village with a new look | Iconic Media Group

The refit also saw the installation of a full cellar system, to increase the draught offering, including Guinness, Estrella and Sapporo.

Overall, it’s opened up the space and Jonny says so far it’s going down well with customers.

“This past week, we’ve actually been the busiest we’ve been since pre-Covid,” said Jonny. “When we first opened 10 years ago, we were a lot newer to hospitality and not as experienced.

“But in this iteration we’ve really worked on the customer journey, so the bar is now triple the size and straddles both sides. It’s more open plan and feels like a neighbourhood bar, the kind you see in Notting Hill and the Cotswolds.

The bar area has tripled in size, with more space for walk ins | Iconic Media Group

“It’s not just about the cheese and charcuterie, it feels more like a living room space in keeping with the village while also still appealing to visitors, as we get a lot of guests from outside of the area.”

The menu has also been changed up, with a separate breakfast and lunch offering instead of one brunch menu, including new additions such as small plates of broccoli, whipped Isle of Wight feta and chilli crunch and a dish of panzanella salad.

It was in 1918 that George Black opened his grocery business in the building, which became affectionately known as Blacks Corner.

There's also more draught and menu options | Iconic Media Group

Though the name was used colloquially over the decades, the building underwent many guises, from being used as a Halifax to a business centre.

Jonny and Chris came up with the idea for their business after hosting a cheese and wine night for a friend’s birthday in which they paired flavours.

It was a light bulb moment for the pair and, despite having no experience in the industry, they rang a stall at London’s famous Borough Road and volunteered in a bid to learn more about British farm produce.

They’ve gone on to create a popular home-grown brand, with Blacks Corner opening a sister site at the Tram Shelter in Seaburn, a wine and cheese bar in Fenwick and, soon, a Blacks Corner will open at the new Culture House in Keel Square.