OneHop Craft Beer and Burger Venue to Open in Morpeth

Morpeth's independent food and drink scene is about to gain another name. OneHop, a new bar and burger venue, opens its doors on Friday 21 August, bringing locally sourced craft ales and gourmet burgers to a restored town-centre building that dates back to the 1800s.

It is a collaboration between two established Northumberland businesses: Tom Haigh, owner of One Burger, and Layla Levy, who runs The Hoptimist in Bedlington. The pair have known each other for some time and decided to pool their skills, pairing Layla's craft beer expertise with Tom's burgers under one roof.

Local beer and a restored building

The emphasis is firmly on backing other North East producers. Almost all the beer on the bar will come from breweries close to home. "99% of our beers are from local breweries within a 50-mile radius so we are really supporting all the local businesses," Layla told the Northumberland Gazette.

The building itself has been given plenty of care. Rather than stripping out its history, the owners have worked its original features into the design — the bar is built from reclaimed church pews, and the original doors have been kept. Layla described the pair as "absolutely besotted" with the building, calling it "really special".

For Morpeth residents, it is another sign of momentum in the town centre, which has seen a steady run of independent openings this year. OneHop sits alongside spots such as the Oldgate Tavern micropub, the historic Black Bull on Bridge Street, and Pleased to Meet You in the former Queens Head coaching inn.

Best for:

Good to know: OneHop opens on Friday 21 August 2026 and will then trade from noon. Expect locally sourced craft beers, burgers, and planned events including live music evenings and wine tastings.

The venture has created around 10 to 15 local jobs, a welcome boost in a trading climate the owners acknowledge is tough. "It's really tricky with hospitality at the minute, people are struggling, so showing support is really important," Layla said. Tom added that the reaction from the community while they have been fitting out the premises has been very positive.

Beyond day-to-day drinks and food, the plan is to make OneHop a venue as well as a bar, with live music evenings, wine tastings and other special events on the cards once it is up and running.

You can read the Northumberland Gazette's report for more.

---

Have a story? Get in touch.