Whiskey and food sail in as Ship Inn reopens in Ouseburn (GALLERY)

A RESTAURANT firm founder is out to prove that a nautically named Newcastle pub is far from sunk.

David Ladd, who founded the Black Door restaurant group in 2004, has taken on the Ship Inn on Stepney Bank in Ouseburn, Newcastle.

And after a four month refurbishment, costing more than £100,000, the new landlord is hoping customers – and whiskey lovers in particular – will soon be sailing through his doors.

“Ouseburn is a fantastically vibrant place,” said David, “but having The Ship closed was no good for the area.

“It’s a really good pub that’ll be serving great beer, have great craic, and will be somewhere to come that feels like home.”

Many of the beers available will be sourced from North East breweries, though David said he’s not afraid to offer “pub classics.”

“Some beers often get overlooked because they’re not seen as ‘trendy’ these days, but are still appreciated by the customers,” he said. This week ales on the bar included Cameron’s Strongarm and Bass.

But David said he hopes the pubs major selling point – other than a range of food that includes soups from Soupie Face in Corbridge, giant hot dogs and a curry night on a Wednesday – will be whiskey.

Drawing on his own training at the Bowmore Distillery, David is stocking a range of the spirit at £2.70 per nip, with a “malt of the week” – chosen by customers – at £2.
Whiskey tastings, in association with the Whiskey Shop in Metro Centre, are also going to be organised.