The next king of Piel Island has been chosen.
Earlier this year, a tender was launched for a 10-year lease to run The Ship Inn, on Piel Island, which is half a mile off the Barrow coast.
More than 190 people registered an interest, with more than 30 ultimately submitting an application for a 10-year lease in time for the pub to start operating next month.
Barrow man Aaron Sanderson has been selected as the preferred bidder.
The Ship Inn is thought to be over 300 years old and its landlord is also given the title of king after a ceremony which involves a throne and beer being tipped over their head. There has never been a queen.
Mr Sanderson, an electrical team leader at BAE Systems, said he is looking forward to pulling his first pint at The Ship Inn once the season begins.
He added: “Many people have been sad to see the pub closed and I’m looking forward to getting it back up and running and serving visitors; that’s how it should be.
“I have very happy memories of visiting Piel many times as a child and throughout my life. The prospect of me applying for the role was mentioned and from that point I couldn’t get it out of my head.
“Personally, it represents both an incredible risk and a wonderful opportunity. I am in a secure and well-paid role, but I am willing to give that up for the chance to bring the glory days back to The Ship Inn.”
Mr Sanderson, 33, plans to move to the island with his partner Anita Palfi. A date for the official reopening is yet to be confirmed.
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.
The opportunity to run The Ship Inn was advertised on Government procurement portal The Chest in January.
It gathered international attention because of an historic tradition that sees the landlord of the pub also crowned as King of Piel in a ceremony that involves alcohol being poured over the incoming publican’s head.
Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council, which is the custodian of Piel Island and its pub, said: “This was a very competitive process and we are delighted to be moving to the next stage with our preferred bidder.
“Aaron has a great understanding of Piel, The Ship Inn and the traditions of the island.
“We will now follow due process as we move through the official channels to confirm our partnership and very much look forward to The Ship Inn being open this year and to seeing Piel Island resplendent with visitors and holidaymakers.”
Piel Island, which is only 50 acres in size, hosts an array of wildlife and is home to the ruins of Historic England-run Piel Castle, a now derelict structure built in the 14th century.
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 ongoing Low Carbon Barrow project.
