Iconic Doncaster town centre pub re-opens doors after being closed for a year

The Olde Castle in the Market Place will have a grand re-opening – more than 12 months after it faced an uncertain future after closing its doors to customers.

New landlord Craig Teale-Price and his team have spent the last few weeks working to bring the pub back to life – and it will be back open at noon today.

Last November, customers were left reeling after the then landlord posted on Facebook that the pub had been “condemned.”

A post on the pub’s Facebook page read: 'Unfortunately our time at the Olde Castle has ended.

'The fire brigade condemned large parts of this old building as it was deemed unsafe as well as needing a new roof and other issues.

'This meant that the huge rent without the use of the hotel just wasn't viable.'

The multi-room pub in Doncaster's Market Place was the advertised by owners Trust Inns as to let on its website.

It described the pub as a “busy bar with popular entertainment programme” and said the venue offered an “opportunity to develop food utilising the equipped catering kitchen.”

There has been a pub on the site from the 1780s and The Little Red Lion, which stood in the Market Place, was completely rebuilt in 1928 and became The Olde Castle.

And bosses are already busy preparing a new look and events for the pub.

A new pool table has been installed and the Castle will be saying goodbye to 2019 with a huge New Year’s Eve party with music from DJ Sean Jeeves.

Its return comes just a few weeks after a brand new drag bar opened its doors in Doncaster town centre

The Gallery, which is in the same venue as the old Gallery bar and club, opened in Silver Street in October.

The theme of the new venue is drag, show and cabaret – with drag artistes set to appear over the coming weeks.