South Shields pub sees profits ‘U-turn’ thanks to customers from the Shields Ferry
A South Shields pub has seen its takings ‘treble’ as the reinstated Shields Ferry gives it a much-needed boost.
A popular South Shields pub has seen a ‘U-turn’ in business following the restoration of the Shields Ferry service.
Jeff Dean, the owner of the Alum Ale House, on Ferry Street, had previously told the Shields Gazette that pub was ‘struggling’ due to reduced customer numbers.
In March, he revealed that his takings were down 47% year-on-year, with less people using the pub due to the ferry service suspension.
The Shields Ferry was suspended from Wednesday, January 28, due to storm damage on the north landing - with Nexus re-establishing the river crossing on Monday, April 27.
‘Happy days’
Following the return of the ferry plus the early May bank holiday weekend, Jeff has revealed that the pub is now ‘back on track’ as he and his staff look ahead to the summer months.
He said: “Business has pretty much trebled and has gone through the roof, it has been a massive U-turn since Monday.
“Every day has seen us make a profit which has put us back on track to pay the bills - having the ferry back has been a big difference.
“We’re now going to draw a line in the sand and go from here.
“Now that we’ve managed to clear the debt, we’re starting to prepare for the summer and we’re going to take on extra staff so happy days.”
Calls to speed up work on the new ferry landing
Plans are in place to construct a new ferry landing on the north side of the River Tyne after it was deemed that the current site is no longer fit for purpose.
Nexus, the operator of the Shields Ferry, hopes that the new landing will be complete by 2027 but Jeff has called on the travel operator to bring that timeline forward.
He added: “I don’t think Nexus realise how much of an impact the ferry being off has on businesses on both sides of the river.
“I think going forward, they will need to work a little bit harder with us because it is their customers as well.
“I know there is a new landing being built but I think that needs to be brought forward now that this has happened - things need to be sped up.”
You can keep up to date with the Alum Ale House at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100078614304197.