By Royal Appointment

Visit by Countess of Wessex is the icing on the cake for Morpeth bar and function room

Sophie, Countess of Wessex visited Morpeth recently to see how businesses had recovered from the damage caused by the floods of September 2008. The Riverside Lodge had been open for just 8 days before being devastated by the impact of the River Wansbeck bursting its banks and was closed for a year while undergoing a £700,000 re-fit to create a landmark venue for the town.

Now, 12 months on from re-opening it’s celebrating a successful year back in business as a stylish bar, restaurant and function room. occupying one of Morpeth’s prime riverside spots, the venue’s picturesque location proved to be its greatest threat and it was one of the buildings visited by Prince Charles after the floods wrecked the area. However, the owners took it as an opportunity to re-design it and include flood defences to every air brick and door as well as investing in the decor and facilities.

The recent visit by the Countess of Wessex has been the icing on the cake for directors, liz and Bill durning who have been delighted to get back to work over the past 12 months. ‘’it’s been a tremendous boost for all of us to welcome the Countess to the riverside lodge’’ said Bill, ‘’she was charming and a delight to meet’’.