The Ship Inn, Piel Island
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Project: The Ship Inn, Piel Island
Client: Barrow Borough Council
Contract: JCT Minor Works 2005
Architect: Anna Williams Associates
Structural Engineer: RG Parkins
Location: Piel Island, Barrow-in-Furness
Value: £490k
Duration: 24 Weeks
This project comprised major refurbishment of a Grade II listed public house of traditional Lakeland rubble wall construction beneath a timber pitched and slated roof with suspended timber upper floors, retaining a number of original features. Internal and external areas were in a very poor state, meaning that the building was uninhabitable and in dire need of attention.
The phase 1 works were carried out under a fully tented scaffold, protecting the entire building from the elements. The timber roof structure was completely renewed and second hand local Burlington slate laid over in diminishing courses. The cementitious render was then removed exposing the crumbling walls, which were rebuilt or stitched as necessary and finished with a traditional lime render and lime wash. The sliding sash windows were either repaired or replaced, depending on their condition. Phase 2 included joinery, electrics, plumbing, renewal of floor structures and finishes (including a reclaimed slate floor to the bar area) and plastering works.
Piel Island is a Site of Specific Scientific Interest as are the access sands from Walney Island, which were the only route available for delivering materials to site. Access was therefore carefully managed according to the tide times and to limit both damage to the environment and disturbance to wildlife and to address the significant hazards associated with driving heavy plant and vehicles across soft sands subject to tidal waters. The workforce accessed the site by boat from Roa Island.
Martin Clunes visited the project during construction as part of ‘The Islands of Britain’ television series.
