I have been inundated with news and updates and I can’t get on top of them, so here is my attempt at a catch-up

Cosy Joes in the Bigg market is to be refurbed and renamed – I don’t know what or when

Eva Rose Bar/Restaurant opens in the basement of Liela Lilys – I’m sure its lovely

The London Cocktail Club Planning Permission – another pub for Gray Street, in the basement of Zizzis, the application has since been withdrawn and replaced with an application for the Cocktail Club

Black and White Bull Reopens – terrifying football pub reopens after a lick of paint, the best place for trouble between home and away fans on a match day

Bijoux up for sale – it takes some severe mismanagement to make a pub on the diamond strip fail

Manhatta bar earmarked for old Allied Irish bank building on Diamond strip – looks like it’s not going to be a sedate real ale establishment

Lubberfied Opens on Blandford Street – if my mate Jonas could design a bar and a gig venue, this would be it

Split Chimp Seaton Delval Closes – and becomes the Crafty lodge

Mojo Cocktail Bar Opens – it’s in the Gate, expect a rebrand in the next 2 or 3 weeks

Crafty Cold Well opens in Monkseaton – looks like a decent micropub

The Grove Opens in Byker – Geddit? No? oh you’re not in your 40’s

The Lost Wander Opens – its very nice and deceptively big

New Brewery ‘Manuia – Contract brewery headed by some rugger people

New Ogham Brewery – Gateshead gets a new brewery