Chester-le-Street: Refurbished Hollathans to be Black Rabbit

The Black Rabbit is opening in the former Hollathans on Ashfield Terrace in Chester-le-Street after its long-time owners stepped away from the venue after 20 years.

The venue has been taken over by Terry Haley, 32, and Richard Nellis, 57.

Terry runs bars in Durham including The Drunken Duck and the Ye Old Elm Tree, while Richard is best known for running Hibou Blanc and The Grey Owl. He also runs the Abbey Group, a construction company specialising in the hospitality sector.

Black Rabbit is set to open this week in the former Hollathans in Chester-le-Street. (Image: BLACK RABBIT/ FACEBOOK)

The new owners have invested £750,000 into a refurbishment of the premises.

The pair met in a sauna and eventually decided to work together.

The Black Rabbit is set to open on Ashfield Terrace this Friday, April 10, for drinks only over the weekend before closing again from Monday until Friday, April 17, when it will relaunch with a full bar and kitchen.

The owners said the decision to open earlier than planned came after strong interest online from people wanting to visit the venue.

Richard and Terry said: “It has always been a well-established place within the town that recently had dwindled away, but it was still a staple in the area and so when we saw the opportunity we just had to take it.

“The Black Rabbit will be a luxury, nice offering bringing something up market to the area, similar to what Richard has already built with his higher end places.

“Due to demand and response that we didn’t expect to this level we will be opening for drinks only on Friday (April 10) and a full opening with the kitchen the following week.”