Developers have confirmed a flagship bar will finally open its doors almost one year on from the original opening date.

Pleased to Meet You announced its Morpeth venue was due to open in Easter this year but four months on boarding is still up and there are few signs of progress.

This has left residents wondering whether the transformation of the 400-year-old Queen's Head pub is still going ahead after the original spring 2019 opening date passed without so much as a single margarita being served.

But, while the developers admit they underestimated the size of the challenge, they say work to open the new bar and restaurant is still moving forward.

The operators - Crafted Projects - are "now looking to move quickly" and are targeting a spring 2020 opening date.

The old Queen's Head hotel in Morpeth
The old Queen's Head hotel in Morpeth

Since it opened in 2013, Pleased To Meet You on Newcastle's High Bridge has become one of the most popular high-end bars in the city centre and plans were unveiled to take the brand to Northumberland.

Developers say they have now stripped the interior "back to its core" but admit it was a "bigger [job] than we might have anticipated".

The old Queen's Head hotel in Morpeth
The old Queen's Head hotel in Morpeth

It was only once developers were inside did they appreciate the complexity of transforming the historic site and they've had to go back to the drawing board and revisit the layout.

A Crafted Project spokesperson added they are determined to approach the project "sensitively" and preserve "those aspects of the building which are historically and emotionally important".

Work to demolish and rebuild the two rear wings will get under way as soon as possible and the entire roof is going to be replaced on the main building.

Barry Ladhar, director of Crafted Projects, said: “We are extremely excited to be moving into Morpeth, we appreciate the anticipation of local people, and we acknowledge that the Queens Head holds an important place for many people, and we are committed to ensuring that people will not be disappointed .

"We do appreciate that the delay has left people talking, but we are committed to the opening of the Queens Head as soon as we possibly can, and to be realistic are looking at a spring 2020 opening”.

Once the new Pleased To Meet You is open, it will also include a tea room, rooms for the night, a ballroom, wedding garden, open fires and private dining.

Crafted Projects, which is a division of Ladhar Group, also run city centre pubs Lady Greys and The Redhouse, plus London bar Globe.