Popular Durham bar Missoula applies to change its name

A popular Durham bar has applied to change its name.

Missoula has applied to Durham County Council for permission to become the Slug and Lettuce - its previous title before it switched to the new name.

The proposals, submitted by the Stonegate Pub Company, are also seeking to change the layout, including adding seating to the ground and first floor terraces and removing one of the bars.

The venue made the headlines for tragic reasons when Durham University student Olivia Burt suffered fatal head injuries in an incident outside the nightclub, in the Walkergate area of the city, on February 7, 2018.

Following the death of Miss Burt, from Hampshire, Missoula faced the prospect of losing its licence to sell alcohol.

But in May last year (2018) members of Durham County Council's Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee instead ruled it should take up a new 'operational plan' agreed with Durham Constabulary.

Councillors also barred it from having separate VIP access and inserted a provision in the licence banning under-16s from the premises after 10pm.

A spokesperson for Stonegate Pub Company said: "Stonegate continuously changes and develops its formats within the group portfolio to address both the competitive landscape locally and meet the ever-evolving demands of the high street.

"Durham is just the latest city to be reviewed and due to its popularity, it was felt that Slug and Lettuce would be the perfect addition."

Members of the public have until Wednesday, July 31, to submit any comments on the application to the county council.