‘To regenerate such an iconic pub is scarcely believable’
“To walk inside was to step back in time and feel what it was like a century earlier, before commercialisation set in,” says historian Dave Knibb. He has fond memories of what was one of Northampton’s most iconic pubs, a venue that, eight years after it called time, is now set to reopen.
“Whether it was a lunchtime drink or part of an evening out, everyone went in the Shipmans,” he says. “Its reopening will give a generation of people a chance to revisit and rekindle much loved memories, and of course, a chance to create new ones.
“There are still many pubs still in Northampton but none like the Shipmans.”
The pub on the corner of the Drapery and Drum Lane, is due to open later this month after a major investment by owner McManus Pub Co. Ahead of its opening, social media is awash with posts sharing memories of family members who would visit on market days for a drink after using the local shops or those who remember the half-pints which the pub sold until the 1980s.
The Shipmans became a popular spot due to the town centre location next to the bus station for workers to enjoy a pint after their shift.
“The Shipmans reopening is fantastic news for Northampton,” says Dave.
“So many pubs have closed down over the years, disappearing forever, but for McManus Pubs to regenerate such an iconic pub is scarcely believable.
“Of all the pubs in Northampton town centre, the Shipmans has created more happy memories for generations of people than any other, its unique design giving a genuine feeling of history.”
The McManus Pub Co. has invested heavily into pubs and restaurants across Northamptonshire and the Shipmans is no exception. The pub dates from 1790 and been through numerous personas such as Roebuck, White Hart, White Hart Wine Vaults.
McManus Pub Co. has been working on restoring it after the pub closed back in 2014, using local building firm Goodfellows and Metcalf Decorators.
Many of the original features such as fireplaces, flagstone flooring, the hanging barrel and wooden bar will remain but the pub now also has a dining area and function rooms on the first floor.
Since its closure, historian Dave has been sharing snippets of history about the Shipmans on social media. He also wrote Last Orders, a history of Northampton pubs up to 1945.
“We are so excited to be reopening the Shipmans. It is such an iconic pub from the past,” says McManus Pub Co managing director Gary McManus.
“We look forward to putting the Shipmans back where it belongs in the heart of Northampton.”
