There was delight across Sunderland when a beloved city centre pub opened its doors again for the first time in almost a year.
The Cooper Rose on Albion Place once again began pouring the budget pints on Sunday (January 23), with eager customers stepping foot through the doors as it opened for the first time in 2022.
Punters were very curious to see the changes which had been made to the J D Wetherspoon's branch after its £2m revamp, flooding through the Wearside establishment's double doors for the entirety of the day.
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The bar and restaurant has undergone a full refurbishment – seeing a brand new bar layout, open plan kitchen where customers can watch their food cooking, removal of the iconic light-up dance floor, and a new glazed roof light has been fitted.
There is more to come too with construction under way for a serene roof terrace for punters to make the most of over summer periods.
It means punters will have to wait in anticipation a little longer.
Although there is no date set in stone for the suntrap's official opening, general manager Nik Chapman is looking towards February with hopes of unveiling it to excited customers.
The 3,000+ square foot terrace captures the sun from 360 degrees, and will allow for socials in the sun when fully operational.
Speaking to Chronicle Live, Nik, said: "We can't give a date, but we're hoping that it'll be 3-4 weeks, then we're looking to open the actual roof up.
"It'll definitely be in time for the summer, and that's the main change.
"It's massive, about three and a half thousand square feet - huge. It looks really cool already.
"We get the sun all the way around so it's literally going to ave twelve hours of sun."
Overall the launch day was exceptionally busy, and staff overwhelmed by the successes of the city staple, with Nik claiming the bar was jam-packed all day and night.
He added: "It was really successful yesterday - really, really busy. Loads of people were just coming in for a look which is really good, and we had lots of positive feedback so we were really pleased with yesterday.
"I've noticed a lot on social media, people saying they haven't really noticed a difference, but everything is new.
"We've got a brand new carpet, brand new furniture, all the furnishings...it is literally all brand new here.
"What they can't see is the rooftop, where we have spent a lot of the money."
The 'removal' of the old dance floor disheartened many who loved dancing the night away under colourful lights at the heart of the establishment.
However, Nik dismissed any worries weekend clubbers may have - saying that the floor itself has simply been raised and will still be in operation for dancers to make the most of come the weekend, with a brand new light system shining down from the ceiling.
Nik added: "We've just changed it - we've raised it so we will have a dance floor still. It's just better as it means that you don't have to go down into the sort of pit.
"It looks a lot smarter now."
