If anyone really wants to have a royal title, they’ll have to move to a tiny island off the coast of Barrow.
Tenders are now being sought for a new landlord of a unique pub – one that comes with the title of King of Piel Island.
The hunt is now on for the right person to manage the Ship Inn, thought to be over 300 years old.
The landlord is traditionally known as the King of Piel Island and tradition says that to be crowned, they have to wear a helmet, hold a sword and sit in a throne while beer is poured over their head.
Knights of Piel Island are also appointed at the same time as the king.
A knight sits on the throne before the king holds the sword and reads a charter, which declares that the recipient is of good behaviour and steady.
The recitation says: “Let it be impressed on your mind, that you must be a free drinker, a moderate smoker and an ardent lover of the opposite sex.”
The early written references to Knights of Piel are in the first visitors’ book, which started in 1856.
The ceremony is said to be due to the landing of pretender to the throne Lambert Simnel in 1487 and is most likely to have begun as a slightly mocking homage to this event.
By the 19th century it had become an important aspect of the island’s history.
Previous king Steve Chattaway left after 13 years in charge in March and the pub was able to open in 2021 thanks to temporary partnership the Piel Island Pub Company.
Barrow Borough Council is custodian of the island.
The authority agreed that it would accept tenders for a 10-year lease from January 18 in time for the pub to start operating in April.
Tenders are to be invited to secure a 10-year lease for The Ship Inn, on Piel Island, sitting half a mile off the Furness coast in Barrow-in-Furness.
Ann Thomson, leader of Barrow Borough Council, said the opportunity was genuinely unique and unlike any other to be found nationwide.
She said: “There’s something incredibly special about Piel Island, it’s certainly a location that is held close to the hearts of so many people across Barrow and the wider area.
“As well as running The Ship Inn, the successful applicant will need to manage and maintain other parts of the island, including its small campsite, taking into account the sensitivities that go hand in hand with a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.”
The 50-acre island hosts an array of wildlife and is home to the ruins of Historic England-run 14th century Piel Castle, a now derelict structure.
Visitors can also stay overnight at the island’s campsite or by booking accommodation at The Ship Inn.
The island is reachable via a short ferry crossing from April to September while planned guided walks across the sands also take place during days of finer weather.
A number of changes and improvements are due to take place on the island from 2022 onwards, including replacing the existing toilet block and considering alternative energy generation as part of the Low Carbon Barrow project.
Coun Thomson added: “The successful applicant will need to be dedicated to their role on Piel – an absolute jewel in the borough’s crown – while taking care of the many people who visit the pub each year.
“While there are periods when the pub and the island is bustling with people, there will be periods of quiet too – something the successful applicant will need to embrace.
“Our thanks go to all of the council staff who helped prepare the pub and island for reopening in 2021 in a very short space of time – and also to The Piel Island Pub Company which stepped in to make sure The Ship Inn could be reopened as soon as possible after the first lockdown of the pandemic.
“We look forward to the doors of The Ship Inn reopening again for 2022 and the bright future it has ahead of it.”
The opportunity is to be advertised on Government procurement portal The Chest from January 18 with all submissions and queries to be made via the platform.
There has never been a queen of Piel Island.
