he Old Oak is set in a small town near Durham, whose focal centre is the titular pub. Landlord TJ Bannatyne (Dave Turner) is struggling to stay afloat during economic uncertainty. As the film begins, the town, previously a mining community that has now plunged into poverty, faces rising tension when Syrian refugees are placed in local homes. While this is met with hostility by the locals, Bannatyne forges a relationship with Yara (Ebla Mari), one of the refugees, and her family, as they organize a food initiative to help the town community.