BELHAVEN Pubs is seeking a new tenant for North Berwick’s The Ship Inn after an amicable parting with long-standing operator Niall Middleton.

“I’ve been at the helm of The Ship for 10 years and have had some great times,” said Niall, 50.

“I’m really proud of what I have achieved but, with the lease coming to an end, I felt it was time another skipper took over.”

Niall has also quit as a director of North Berwick’s Fringe by the Sea festival and plans to take a break before deciding on his future career plans.

A spokesperson for Belhaven Pubs said: “We would like to thank Niall for all his work at the pub over the past decade, ensuring The Ship Inn remains a strong part of the North Berwick community.

“We are keen to invest in the pub to support it for years to come and are currently looking for anyone interested in running the pub in the long term to get in touch with us on 01284 714497. We began advertising last week and have already had a number of interested people get in touch.”

Anyone taking over tourist-friendly The Ship Inn, on Quality Street, needs to stump up more than £1,000 per week in rent and pay upfront costs of more than £48,000; however, the pub’s owners believe the right operator can make a profit in excess of £55,000 per annum on a forecasted annual turnover of more than £664,000.