A North East leisure group, known for operating a series of successful wedding venues across the region, has acquired the leasehold for The Gibraltar Rock in Tynemouth. The pub, which boasts one of the best views in the region overlooking King Edward's Bay, was closed by its former tenants at the end of 2023.
The Robinson family announced its closure in March on social media, attributing it to soaring costs, the impacts of Covid, damage from Storm Arwen and escalating energy costs. Subsequent reports filed at Companies House revealed Dannick Ltd's debts amounting to over £380,000.
The building, dating back to at least 1822 and formerly known as The Priory Inn, now has new tenants thanks to property agents at Sanderson Weatherall and McGillivrays Chartered Surveyors.
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The new tenants have a proven track record of successfully operating prominent venues, including three wedding and event spaces across the region and a restaurant in Northumberland. Their portfolio includes The Parlour at the Blagdon Estate, Shotton Grange in Seaton Burn, North Tyneside, and Marshall Meadows Manor House near Berwick-upon-Tweed, as well as Sycamore Corbridge, a restaurant offering all-day dining in the town hall buildings of Corbridge.
Property agents announced the takeover on social media, revealing the tenants' plans to make changes to the building that could lead to it hosting weddings, in addition to reopening as a food and drink establishment for locals and visitors. The post said: "We are delighted to report that a new tenant has been secured for The Gibraltar Rock Public House in Tynemouth.", reports .
"The Gibraltar Rock was a historic pub located on East Street in Tynemouth overlooking King Edward's Bay and adjacent to Tynemouth Priory. Dating back to circa 1822 it was originally known as the Priory Inn before adopting the Gibraltar Rock name. Since its closure in December 2023 the landlord has been seeking a new tenant that can not only make the business work long term but can provide a unique offering to customers local to the region and tourists.
"The owner of The Parlour at Blagdon and Shotton Grange wedding venue has acquired the property on a leasehold basis with plans to reconfigure the internal layout and increase the seating capacity on the upper floors providing panoramic views overlooking the bay. We are confident that they will be successful operators for years to come and will be a welcome addition to Tynemouth."
The new tenants have now taken over the leasehold of the property.
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They currently operate Shotton Grange, a prestigious wedding venue in Northumberland, England, boasts walled gardens, a coach house, and a manor house. Meanwhile Marshall Meadows Manor House is a Georgian manor with coastal views that has recently been converted into a luxury hotel, restaurant, and wedding venue, complete with four-star graded glamping pods.
It remains uncertain whether The Gibraltar Rock will keep its historical name, which harks back to the Peninsular War of the early 19th Century in the Iberian Peninsula, where Britain fought against Napoleon's France. It is believed that the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, veterans of the early war years, named the pub Gibraltar Rock when they were garrisoned at Tynemouth Priory and Castle in 1837.