The Old English Gentleman, on Bondgate, is opening the doors to anyone in need so they can come inside and warm up – without the need to make a purchase.
The 200-year-old pub – which is open from 9am every day and will have the heating on full – said “everyone deserves to be warm and comfortable”.
Bosses said people can pay a visit to the watering hole, even with their own flasks of tea and coffee or snacks, if they are in need of a warm space.
A heartfelt post announcing the initiative on Facebook said: “We are here for our Community and we will look after you. Stay safe everyone.”
Swathes of people have since praised the pub for the “lovely gesture”, with one person saying: “Well done guys… true community work from a REAL community pub!”
Another added: “Wow this is incredibly wholesome. This is what Britain is about.”
It comes as freezing temperatures look set to continue in Darlington as the week continues, following widespread snow across the weekend.
This evening (January 7), the town is set to feel like -6°C from 8pm onwards (actual temperature -1°C) and this will drop to a feeling of -7°C from 5am until 9am (actual temperature -2°C and -3°C).
The Government also issued an amber health alert for the next six days on Monday, warning of an increase in death and demand on the NHS.
The alert warns of excess deaths, staffing issues and more due to plunging temperatures, with The Met Office predicting temperatures plunging as low as -3C later this week.=
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Here’s how the forecast looks for Wednesday:
“Another cold and frosty start for many.
“Otherwise, a largely fine and dry day, with some winter sunshine. Breezy along the coast. Staying cold. Maximum temperature 2 °C.”
And for Thursday to Sunday: “Staying dry with some decent spells of winter sunshine on Thursday. Staying cold, with widespread and locally severe frosts overnight. Turning cloudier from the west on Friday and Saturday. Light winds.”