One of Northampton town centre's most historic pubs put up for sale
A ‘beautiful’ historic town centre pub has been put up for sale by a Northampton pub giant.
Shipmans, on the Drapery, is currently being marketed by commercial property agents Fleurets.
However, owner Paul McManus has stressed it is "business as usual" and there are no immediate plans to change the day-to-day running of the venue.
The pub was reopened by the McManus Pub Company four years ago in July 2022 after standing vacant for eight years.
Owner Paul McManus said: “As with any business, we regularly review opportunities for the future, and while the property is being marketed, our focus remains on delivering a great experience for our customers from our fantastic team. It is very much business as usual, with no immediate changes planned to the day-to-day operation of the pub.
"If a sale is agreed, we hope to see a buyer who recognises the potential of Shipmans and its importance within the local community, allowing the venue to continue to thrive for many years to come.
“We have been good custodians of this beautiful eighteenth century Northampton pub.”
Shipmans is an 18th-century Grade II-listed building in Northampton town centre with outside seating. The pub is fully fitted and presented in good order, with around 80 covers arranged over two floors and a "wealth of charm and character", according to the sales advert.
The building was refurbished to a high standard in around 2022 under the current ownership.
Shipmans closed in 2014 before being taken over by the McManus Pub Company in 2015. Plans to restore the building were delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic before the venue finally reopened to the public on July 22, 2022.
The renovation retained many of the pub's original features, including its fireplaces, flagstone flooring, wooden bar and iconic hanging barrel, while introducing a new upstairs kitchen, function rooms and an expanded food offering. The pub was originally built in 1790.