Historic Middlesbrough pub on the market

November 30th 2016

One of Middlesbrough's most historic pubs has come onto the market, and could have a new lease of life as a micro-brewery, shop or bar.

The Shakespeare on Linthorpe Road is available for sale or rent through Middlesbrough independent commercial property consultants Dodds Brown.

A grade II listed building, constructed in the 19th Century, The Shakespeare closed down as a pub in the late 1990s, and was most recently used as an amusement arcade. Now it is empty and looking for a new operator.

Listed at number five in a 2014 poll of Teesside's favourite drinking spots of the past, The Shakespeare operated as a hotel and pub for around 150 years. Close to Middlesbrough railway station, and adjacent to Marks and Spencers in the heart of the prime retail area, The Shakespeare, 34 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 1RD, has 4,381 sq ft of accommodation over three floors, with 2,672 sq ft of that space on the ground floor.

The Shakespeare's most famous landlord was Robert Watson Boyd, Champion Sculler of England in the 1870s. A major sporting celebrity of his time, although now virtually forgotten, Boyds career included many high profile rowing races on the Tees, Tyne and Thames rivers.

His last competition was the Race of the Tees on 3rd July 1882 against Australian Elias C Laycock for 400 (more than 30,000 in todays money), which drew thousands of spectators with excursion trains running to Middlesbrough from Sheffield, Whitby and Newcastle. Boyd died at a young age in The Shakespeare, where he was landlord, in 1887.

The exterior of the pub still boasts a range of historical features, including a stone relief of Shakespeare at the top of the building and Bass Brewery red triangles above each door.

Richard Wilson, Dodds Browns Senior Associate Partner says, "This is an ideal opportunity to bring one of Middlesbroughs most historic pubs back to life and to play a part in the towns retail and leisure revival. The premises would lend themselves to a micro-brewery, independent retail outlet or eating establishment."

Further information and details about the freehold price and rental terms are available from Dodds Brown on telephone on 01642 244130 or by email: s.brown@doddsbrown.co.uk or via the firms website www.doddsbrown.co.uk.

From its offices in Middlesbrough, Dodds Brown LLP is the largest independent commercial property surveying practice headquartered on Teesside which offers a comprehensive commercial property service and unrivalled local market knowledge across Teesside and throughout the Tees Valley.

Dodds Brown has been trading for more than 125 years and its senior management team has in excess of 100 years combined experience. It can be contacted by telephone on 01642 244130 or by email: prop@doddsbrown.co.uk or via the firms website www.doddsbrown.co.uk.

Picture caption:
(l-r) Richard Wilson of Dodds Brown with Sam Tolley from Wells Solutions outside the Shakespeare Pub, Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough with the original pub sign.