Hoppy and glorious! Electrician beats hundreds of hopefuls from around the world to become landlord of a pub on a tiny island off the Cumbrian coast – as well as its ceremonial ‘king’
- Aaron Sanderson beat 200 applicants to be the landlord of a pub on a tiny island
- He became landlord of the Ship Inn on Piel Island which lies off the Furness coast
- Aaron will inherit the 170-year-old title of the King of Piel Island in September
- As well as owning the pub he will have to maintain the stunning 26-acre islet
- He’ll also have the enviable power to ‘knight’ those who’ve benefitted the island
An electrician has beaten hundreds of hopefuls from around the world to become landlord of a pub on a tiny island off the British coast – as well as its ceremonial ‘king.’
Aaron Sanderson, 33, from Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, beat around 200 other applicants to become landlord of the Ship Inn on Piel Island which lies half a mile off the Furness coast, in Cumbria.
But along with pulling pints and maintaining the stunning 26-acre islet, Aaron will also inherit the 170-year-old title of the ‘King of Piel Island.’
And following his official coronation, expected in September this year, he’ll also have the enviable power to ‘knight’ those who’ve benefitted the island as he sees fit.
Aaron Sanderson, 33, from Walney Island, Barrow-in-Furness, has beaten hundreds of hopefuls from around the world to become landlord of a pub on a tiny island off the British coast – as well as its ceremonial ‘king’
Aaron, who spent his childhood visiting the holiday spot, ‘never thought’ he would be selected as its only monarch and find his ‘own slice of heaven.’
And he admitted to feeling ‘incredibly nervous’ when council officials told him he’d won the tender for the pub – despite having no prior experience in hospitality.
But besides the challenges of living detached from the mainland, Aaron says he’s enjoyed a blissful time on the island since he got the pub’s keys in late May.
He said: ‘I never thought I’d be king of an island. I didn’t even think that last year. I just thought, ‘I could do that, I’ll put in for it, and then I got it.’
He beat around 200 other applicants to become landlord of the Ship Inn on Piel Island which lies half a mile off the Furness coast, in Cumbria
Along with pulling pints and maintaining the stunning 26-acre islet (pictured) , Aaron will also inherit the 170-year-old title of the King of Piel Island
Aaron, who spent his childhood visiting the holiday spot, ‘never thought’ he would be selected as its only monarch and find his ‘own slice of heaven’
‘Then there was a period of a few months where I thought, ‘Oh bloody hell. I’ve just taken over an island. What have I done?’
‘But in the mornings, I’ll sit out the front having a brew, and it’s like your own little slice of heaven. It really is something else when there’s nobody else here.
‘And obviously, when there are people around you, and you’re just having a good time and good laugh with your friends, that’s great too.
He added: ‘If I can put my own stamp on the place, then fingers crossed, everything works out well, and I can enjoy myself for the next ten years.’
Aaron, an electrical team leader at BAE Systems Submarines applied to be the new ‘King’ of Piel Island earlier this year.
He admitted to feeling ‘incredibly nervous’ when council officials told him he’d won the tender for the pub – despite having no prior experience in hospitality
The duties of a monarch include taking on the ten-year lease of its famous pub and maintaining the remarkable island habitat
Barrow Borough Council, who managed the process, advertised for the unusual role in December 2021 – attracting interest from nearly 200 applicants around the world.
The duties of a monarch include taking on the ten-year lease of its famous pub and maintaining the remarkable island habitat.
And despite the huge career change and massive competition for the job, Aaron felt his close ties to the island made him an ideal candidate.
He said: ‘I was camping here when I was a kid, and I’ve been a regular visitor to the place for such a long time – for as long as I can remember.
‘It’s a vast difference to what I was doing and a big leap, really. But I just thought, ‘I need to do this’, and I didn’t want to see the place shut again.’
Aaron has been living on the island – which also has a 900-year-old ruined motte and bailey castle and eight privately owned cottages – since the start of this summer
The fort was built by Furness Abbey monks, who established a foothold on the island in the 12th century
Aaron has been living on the island – which also has a 900-year-old ruined motte and bailey castle and eight privately owned cottages – since the start of this summer.
The fort was built by Furness Abbey monks, who established a foothold on the island in the 12th century. But now campers can pitch a tent on the island for £5 per night.
However, as access is limited to a 15-minute ferry service, or by walking over at low tide, Aaron said he’s found the logistics of managing his new business a challenge.
The tides and the weather play a big part in the logistics of getting produce and products to the island
Aaron said they have periods where there are no ferries and nobody else on the island and he tires to be prepared for that
He said: ‘Getting everything over here is hard work, as you’re not just looking after a pub, you’re looking after an entire island.
‘I understand the tides, and the weather plays a dramatic part in it, but basically, the logistics of getting things here is just the biggest thing.
‘We also have periods where there are no ferries and nobody here, and there are instances where you won’t be able to get off – you’ve just got to be prepared for that.
‘It has happened in the past, where people are over for a day, and you just have to put them up until the weather sorts itself out.’
Aaron said despite having no experience of working in pubs, his skills as an electrician had been put to good use managing the boozer’s fuel-powered generator
He said he doesn’t have mains gas or electricity so he uses a generator for power and a bank of batteries
Aaron said despite having no experience of working in pubs, his skills as an electrician had been put to good use managing the boozer’s fuel-powered generator.
He said: ‘We don’t have mains gas or electricity, where you can have unlimited power – we have a generator for our power and a bank of batteries.
‘It does become that little bit tougher because you have to think if I use those three things at the same time, is it going to be too much?’
It’s expected Aaron will be officially sworn in as the King of Piel Island at the start of September this year by a previous landlord, Rod Scarr.
Piel island and the Ship Inn pub hasn’t changed much over the years and has always been a popular spot for tourists (historic picture of the property)
Aaron has to maintain the land as well as his house and the Ship Inn pub which is going to be a big task
Aaron chats to tourists who regularly visit the island via a 15-minute ferry service or by walking over at low tide
Aaron has no experience of working in pubs but he is willing to learn and he explained getting everything over there is hard work
Relaxing retreat: Aaron has been living on the island which also has eight privately owned houses (pictured)
The interior of the pub is quirky and houses many fishing utensils and nick nacks in a pretty glass case
There is a beautiful view from the mainland of Piel Island which is a mile off the Furness coast, in Cumbria
During the ancient ceremony, he will sit upon a throne made of an old beer barrel, wearing a helmet and carrying a sword, before having beer poured over his head.
And following this, Aaron will also have the power to ‘knight’ those who’ve made a particular contribution to the island or provided him with years of service.
He said: ‘I’ll sit in a chair, with a helmet on and sword on, and I’ll be crowned with that, and then beer will be poured over my head.
‘The previous king does a bit of a speech and swears me in. It will be a good day – it will be fun. It’s something else for the community.
‘And I can then ‘knight’ my own people as well.’
A historic image of the Ship Inn on Piel Island with customers sitting outside enjoying the sunshine
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