Open or closed? CLOSED
Location: Claughton, UK
Location: Claughton, UK
Episode Summary: Couple running a pub, spending 12 hours+ hours, 7 days a week at the pub. The pub is more like a restaurant than a relaxed country pub, the Chefs feel they aren't allowed any input, with piles and piles of plates, the thick sauces and the over equipped kitchen weren't working, Gordon gives Brian and Elaine the night off to come eat at the pub,as well as getting rid of the sauces and half the equipment out the kitchen, the Yorkshire Puddings are impressive and Gordon implements the campaign for real gravy and they take to the streets to campaign encouraging the locals to come back in.
What Happened Next: Gordon revisited and only one of the original chefs was still there. Brian was back in the kitchen and controlling the menu once more and general morale was very low with most of the staff looking to leave. The plates had started to emerge from their wrapping too and a rival pub "The Highway Man" had recently opened just down the road and had noticeably affected their business.
In 2009, Brian and Elaine moved to The Ship Inn in Aldborough claiming that the new menu at the Fenwick drove away trade. The pub was bought by new owners and continued to operate as The Fenwick Arms. It also had a major revamp.
In 2009, Brian and Elaine moved to The Ship Inn in Aldborough claiming that the new menu at the Fenwick drove away trade. The pub was bought by new owners and continued to operate as The Fenwick Arms. It also had a major revamp.
Extra Reading
Now closed (May 2012)
ReplyDeleteBrian and Elaine are now at the Ship Inn in Aldborough, advertising "real pub food" but serving the same stuff Ramsay took off their menu at Fenwick Arms. Pseudo posh food drowned in more gross sauces. How many times does a person need a smack in the head to finally learn??!!
ReplyDeleteAw, Brian seems a sweet ole boy to me. He just doesn't belong in 'his version' of a pub is all. Sadly though, he seems drawn to the notion but its both too much for him the way that he would involve himself and 'his version' makes it even more difficult.
ReplyDeleteIf anything, with all those heart attacks, its time for him to just sit back and relax.
sigh....poor Brian. He and Elaine were just a sweet old couple. I really hoped they would've learned.
ReplyDeleteHe is just to set in his ways.
ReplyDeleteOne thing no one who knows me would ever say, Brian
DeleteWe spent christmas eve 2012 with Brian and Elaine in the Ship at Aldborough, nothing was too much for them, gorgeous food, fantastic staff that make you feel like the most important people in the pub!!!! But this is not a one off because it was Chritmas we are regulars in the pub and this is the Norm....
ReplyDeleteIf this is set in your ways long may it continue The Tookes
We agree so much with the last posting The Fenwick is closed the Ship has gone from good to excellant this must say something We lived outside the area for a few years returning 3 ago the talk was Our Pub Has Been Saved! first thing folk said to us
DeleteThe place is spotless food excellant freshly cooked local produce thoughtfully served Menus vary to all tastes staff polite and cheerful
Brian and Elaine are an asset to the village social event or something more serious
The 4 muskateers:
I have just been for lunch at the ship. I eat there from time to time and go back for a reason. This pub is traditional, with superb food, excellent customer relations, and nothing is to much for them. It does not need music, or tacky themed nights. Simplicity, good old fashioned conversation, and a lot of hilarity and laughter.......... Pubs like these are sadly fading away and we must all stand strong, side by side to keep them alive. If British tradition is what your after then look no further. it seems today we are all to quick to complain with no apparant reason, instead of seeing what is in front our eyes. I wish Brian and Elaine a prosperous new year, and i will be in soon for lunch :-)
ReplyDeleteThe critical comments are mainly redundant as this is probably the most welcoming and successful pub in the area. After 10 years of downward trend when the previous owners sold to the brewery this lovely old proper English village pub has been lovingly brought back to it's former glory. Roaring fires and mouth watering menu's, great Sunday roasts all make this the huge success it is.
ReplyDeleteThink the fact the Fenwick despite hugh injections of cash and refurbs is still closed after nearly four years wheras the Ship is a busy deightful pub much loved by the locals says it all Locals myself included cant thank Brian and Elaine enough for saving our pub
ReplyDeleteThis is a magical place quote from Yorkshire post food menu is varied for all tastes includes veggie and some kiddie portions delightful staff and also the cleanest brightest pub you will ever see
The nonsense talked about food being psuodo this and that is all very well but face it how many pubs did Mr Ramsay save from the inevitable
cant think of one
keep going Brian and Elaine you are an asset to Alborough and big participants in its everyday life
Brian and Elaine have saved our village pub when they arrived we were
ReplyDeletein danger of being another english village without one their hard work and dedication have made the ship once again the centre of the community they help and participate in everything
The pub is spotless peopled with staff with personalities a most welcolmed change in these days
Despite a previous comment above the food is varied so to everyones tastes
We wonder if there are some sour grapes going on here???
The JJs
Yes - nice couple and I'm sure everyone wishes them all the best. Keep it simple Brian and hope things work out great with the new pub !!
ReplyDeleteHot consistant food is a must for any restaurant. Simple food done well is the key for "Pub Grub". Customers do not want a complicated menu, and certainly not at a Pub. Try to be known for doing one outstanding item on the menu, keep staff relaxed and respectful. I wish Brian and Elaine well.
ReplyDeleteWhy do I get the feeling all of these reviews about "the ship" were written by Brian?
ReplyDeleteThey so are, it's very obvious. And it's sad :-( All the "they saved our pub" comments...I mean, really? How many people would actually say that, and here it is in multiple comments lol
DeleteHope Brain and Elaine are still well and doing well. They sure as well worked hard enough for it. Why do people think we all need to change. I'm only 42 but like things how they used to be.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous on March 28, I was about to post the same thing, lol. Brian does seem sneaky enough to do it, in my opinion. Brian is what they call a "right-fighter"..stubborn & insists on being the chief. Elaine is his enabler. What struck me most about him is that he lives such a lonely life. He was painfully uncomfortable around the patrons & couldn't even make small conversation. Sad, really.
ReplyDeleteto anonymous, march28 2013. I was thinking exactly the same thing. If you read those comments you can almost hear him talking. They sound like him.
ReplyDeleteMethinks Brian and Elaine have posted many of these complimenting comments themselves, hmm? Similar phrasing and verbage in many of them. Hmmm. And what's happened to the website for gravy, tis now defunct?
ReplyDeleteBrian is an idiot. Ramsay gave him a second chance and he pissed it away because he's too stubborn.
ReplyDelete