"Went past the Ship today 15/02/23 and it is definitely closed at the moment. The consensus in the Beehive is that they are currently waiting for another licensee to take over the licence, but that the pub is probably going to close as there is the Elbow Room (formerly a Wetherspoons, but not for about twenty years) right next door, which is more popular.

Out of curiosity, a colleague checked Phelan Inns on https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/ The company is active and it may be significant that it was only incorporated on 29 May 2023. There is one director, Mrs Helen Mary Phelan, appointed the same day. She is also the one person having 'significant control' (Ownership of shares – 75% or more; Ownership of voting rights - 75% or more). Mrs P's date of birth is April 1953; nationality: Irish; 0ccupation – Publican. Nature of business (SIC) - 56302 - Public houses and bars. Correspondence address is 665 Holloway Road #, London, England, N19 5SE. 665 Holloway Road is the Mother Redcap, also Phelan Inns (WhatPub NLD/5876). Also checked Land Registry. The freehold is owned by Punch Taverns (not Heineken).

As was:

Handpumps had been removed. Despite that, it is worth popping in here to look at the architecture. Now fully opened out, it is possible to see where some of the former divisions were. Along the right hand wall is tiling probably from a former corridor leading through to a private room at the back. Here, the fireplace is still complete. The original ceiling moudlings are intact as well. A pleasant pub indeed, even better if they had real ale.