'Bad craic' - Pub owner calls for Shields Ferry action over continued delay

The landlord of a pub overlooking the south landing of the Shields Ferry has said the boat’s continued closure will be felt by businesses on both sides of the Tyne.

Jeff Dean, of the Alum Ale House, on Ferry Street, previously told the Shields Gazette that companies along the river were ‘really suffering’ due to the closure, which has seen no ferry cross the Tyne since Wednesday, January 28.

Dean told the Gazette his pub’s takings are 47% down this year. Storms at the start of 2026 saw the ferry landing damaged and trips suspensed.

This week Nexus, the body which operates the Shields Ferry as well as the Tyne and Wear Metro confirmed, while work on the ferry’s north landing was complete, the public will not be able to use the it until mid-April at’ the earliest’.

Ferry suspension is ‘bad craic’ for business in Shields

Dean said: “It’s bad craic for all the businesses around here. It’s not just one pub, everyone’s affected.

“They need to sort it out ASAP basically, otherwise everywhere will suffer - the fair is going to suffer, Tynemouth is going to suffer.”

Easter is usually an opportunity for the pub to see a busy four-day weekend after a long winter, although things will look different this year.

“We’re going to be down. It’s going to be a quieter weekend so we won’t have as many staff on, so they’re losing out as well,” Dean added.

Nexus confirm when the Shields Ferry is likely to reopen

A statement from Nexus said: “The current Shields Ferry suspension will continue into April to allow for further essential monitoring and analysis to be undertaken.

“The North Shields landing was damaged during Storm Chandra in January and the cross-Tyne service has been closed as a safety precaution while essential repairs took place.

“The repairs on the landing are largely complete. However, specialist monitoring is being installed to enable safe reopening to the public.

“Depending on this analysis, the earliest the ferry landing could reopen is mid-April.”

A bus replacement service operating to and from each Ferry landing remains in place through the Easter weekend. Ferry tickets are also being accepted on the Tyne and Wear Metro.