A unique UK pub is set to reopen its doors this weekend, 21 months after serving its last pint.
Based on the island of Piel and surrounded by seal colonies, The Ship Inn is said to have had a presence on the island for more than 300 years.
On Saturday it will be serving local ales, spirits and a menu of pub favourites as a new team – the Ulverston-based Piel Island Pub Co – takes to the pumps.
Kirsty Ridge, managing director of Lakeland Inns, is a director of the new business.
She said: “An awful lot of hard work has been put in by the team over the last few weeks as we have battled against the clock to get The Ship Inn ready to welcome guests once more.
“We’re really looking forward to sharing a drink with island residents, local visitors and tourists from further afield, as we continue the work of those before us to make the pub and Piel a great place to be.
“This is such a special place, from the majesty of the castle to the beauty of the surroundings, and we feel very privileged to have the opportunity to run a pub with such history.”
Piel Island lies off the coast of the Furness Peninsula in south Cumbria and is surrounded by the waters of Morecambe Bay.
As well as The Ship Inn, the 50-acre island is also home to the ruins of Piel Castle, run by English Heritage, and a number of cottages that are occupied all year round.
The Ship is due to open at 9am on Saturday under the stewardship of experienced publicans Jason Lewis and Joanne Clarke.
Locally brewed ales from Lakeland Brewhouse will be on the pumps, while local spirits including Shed One Gin and Wolftown Gin, will also be available.
The reopening of the pub has created 10 jobs which will ensure visitors can be served between now and the end of September when the temporary lease ends.
Bookings are now available for the accommodation rooms at the pub, while a site for campers to secure a pitch is also up and running.
Kirsty said: “The Ship Inn is such a unique pub and, along with the other directors of the Piel Island Pub Co, I’m really excited to be just days away from opening up.
“We’re hoping for a summer of sun and adventure on the island and look forward to welcoming guests from near and far.”
Barrow Borough Council is the custodian of Piel Island and The Ship Inn.
Ann Thomson, leader of the authority, said: “The grand reopening is uplifting news, particularly after the year we have all endured.
“We pledged the pub would reopen as soon as possible after lockdown and we are delighted that this is set to happen on Saturday with a new team in place for the summer season who are championing locally made beers and spirits.
“Piel is a very special part of our borough and a location loved by residents and visitors alike. My thanks go to the council’s team who have worked tirelessly for weeks to prepare the pub for customers and visitors this summer.
“I hope people take the opportunity to visit the island over the coming months to enjoy and experience it’s beauty, special atmosphere and unique surroundings. There’s simply nowhere else quite like it.”
