Island King/Landlord of The Ship Inn

A NEW landlord is being sought for one of the most unique hospitality prospects in the UK.

Tenders are to be invited to secure a ten-year lease for The Ship Inn, on Piel Island, sitting half a mile off the Furness coast in Barrow-in-Furness.

The opportunity is to be advertised on Government procurement portal The Chest with all submissions and queries to be made via the platform.

Barrow Borough Council is looking to award the new lease in time for the start of the 2022 season in April after the move was approved by members of the authority’s Executive Committee this week.

One of the most enduring aspects of the Ship Inn is the tradition of the king and knights of Piel. The tradition holds that each new landlord is crowned "King of Piel" in a ceremony of uncertain origin, in which they sit in an ancient chair, wearing a helmet and holding a sword while alcohol is poured over their head. In early versions of the ceremony they also wore oilskins. The early written references to Knights of Piel are in the first visitors' book which started in 1856. The early evidence for the ceremony is the graffiti carved into the chair. The ceremony is said to be due to the landing of 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 islands history to such an extent that responsibility for looking after the helmet and chair fell within the tenancy agreement.

Councillor Ann Thomson, the leader of Barrow Borough Council, which is the custodian of Piel Island and its pub, explained the opportunity was genuinely unique and unlike any other to be found nationwide.

“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,” Cllr Thomson said.

“As well as running The Ship Inn, the successful applicant will need to manage and maintain other parts of the island, including its small camp site, taking into account the sensitivities that go hand in hand with a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest.”

The scenic 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 Low Carbon Barrow project. 

Cllr 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 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 tender can be accessed here.

Applications and queries must be submitted via the platform.