South Shields pub the Mechanics Arms plans Brexit Day celebration to bring people together

The UK is preparing to finally leave the EU on Friday, January 31 after almost four years of negotiations and uncertainty.

And one South Shields pub, the Mechanics Arms in East Street, is making sure the occasion doesn’t go by unmarked.

Determined the celebrations weren’t going to be left to London, the pub will be putting the flags out with an all day Brexit party from 12pm-2am on Friday.

Live entertainment will get underway from 3pm followed by karaoke into the night, with nibbles and special offers to keep people going.

Punters are also invited to wear an item of red, white and blue to mark the occasion, but far from singling out those who voted to leave, manager Gina Smith is keen to bring people together and unite the town – whichever way they voted in the 2016 referendum.

“Everybody is welcome, some of my good friends voted to stay in, some of them voted to leave, everybody has got their own view," said Gina.

“Whether you voted to leave or not it’s just about everybody enjoying themselves – let’s not focus on the problems.”

Gina who has run the pub for almost 13 years, felt it was important to give people the opportunity to celebrate, she said: “I think it means a lot to people, particularly the more mature generation, which a lot of my day time customers are.”

She is keeping her fingers crossed that whatever happens on Brexit day we’ll have some certainty about what the future looks like.

“I just want to know either way,” she said.

“But if we are out there will be some champagne corks getting popped.”

The pub recently announced it would be hosting regular events and working with other local business owners in a bid to bring people back to the town centre.

She added: “This is another excuse to get people supporting local pubs and businesses and having a good time.”

The Brexit party will take place at the Mechanics Arms on Friday, January 31 from 12pm-2am.