Ship Inn at Aldborough re-opens giving village its ‘heart’

The Ship Inn at Aldborough, just outside Boroughbridge, re-opened three weeks ago, after it closed last November.

The pub, which dates back to 1340, was previously managed by UK Pub Management Ltd, but its bosses said it wasn’t ‘busy enough’ despite getting a reputation for excellent food.

Then, pub owner Star Pubs began seeking people to run the venue, also announcing plans for a major refurbishment.

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Eventually, late last month Mel Green and Malcolm Hughes of Otley took over as licensees.

Mel has worked in the pub trade for 18 years, with Malcolm having ‘decades’ of experience in catering. The business partners also have the Black Bull in Otley.

Mel said of the Ship Inn and Aldborough: “It’s beautiful, the village, it’s cosy. It looked like a pub that needed a big hug. And it needed a lot of paint and cleaning to make it better. We have also smartened up the back bar.”

Improvements to the building exterior are also planned.

In the three weeks the pub has been open, the partners have been happy with the custom.

Mel said: “We have given the village it’s heart back. A village without a pub! It’s not right. It’s lovely to see so many amazing people. It’s lovely they have somewhere to go. They have got the centre of the village back.”

The drinks available include Theakston’s Best, Theakston’s Lightfoot, Guinness, Inch’s Cider, Moretti, Foster’s and Amstel.

From this coming Wednesday, the plan is to start serving food.

the Ship Inn at Aldborough (Image: Supplied)

Mel said: “It will be traditional pub food; there will be a lunch menu and an evening menu at very fair prices.

She added: “There’s going to be quiz nights, music nights, themed nights. It’s a work in progress.”

After a ‘Grand Re-opening’, Anne Pollard posted online: “Very impressed. Great range of drinks. Knowledgeable staff. Lovely atmosphere. Great to see lots of old friends from previous ship days. Well done on a great re-opening. We look forward to plenty more evenings. Great Pint of Theakston’s too.”

And as the Press also reported, the Ship Inn has the royal seal of approval.

In January 2011, Princes William and Harry visited the pub for three hours as part of a group of 16.

As the Press reported at the time, “the brothers were in the village for a friend’s wedding, which was also attended by William’s fiancée, Kate Middleton.

“The future king tucked into a cottage pie and a Coke while his brother, who joined the party after lunch, chose a pint of cider.”

Its then landlord Brian Rey told the Press: “The regulars were amazed and chuffed silly.”

The princes visit even led sales at the pub to increase a fifth the following weekend, he added.