A sneak peek inside a historic Middlesbrough pub while it has undergone major repair work has been served up by a passionate local photographer.

Janette Ruddock has a long interest in photography and local history and has documented the significant works undertaken to secure the historic Captain Cook pub in Middlehaven.

The “Over the Border” boozer has had structural repairs carried out and has also had the inside brought back to a “blank canvas” to allow new tenants to bring it back to life after it was put on the market for a new tenant this week.

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Photographer Janette Ruddock, originally from Middlesbrough but now living in Normanby, was on hand for the entirety of the 11-month project to capture the changes inside the building still beloved by many, either weekly or fortnightly documenting the works.

The Northern Echo: Janette Ruddock Janette Ruddock (Image: Janette Ruddock)

Today, she said: “It’s absolutely brilliant. I think it’s an amazing building and it will be amazing to see whoever gets it what they do with it.

“It had been vacant for such a long time. I knew where the pub was and the community that was around there, around the Old Town Hall.

The Northern Echo: Janette RuddockJanette Ruddock (Image: Janette Ruddock)

“I had never been inside until I walked in to take photographs.

“A lot of people say it was a wonderful place to go and I thought it was my way to get in and see what it was like and follow the work over 11 months to see the changes being made and then they’re there for history.”

Middlesbrough Council is seeking a new tenant for the building and will consider any use put forward from potential occupants.

The Jacobean style building was designed by Middlesbrough’s Robert Moore and built in the 1800s and sits in the town’s historic St Hilda’s area just along from the Transporter Bridge.

The area is currently transforming, with new homes, offices and educational facilities planned and the development of Boho X and Boho Village already underway, bringing 61 new homes and over 60,000 sq. ft of high-quality office accommodation for the digital sector.

The Northern Echo: Janette RuddockJanette Ruddock (Image: Janette Ruddock)

Earlier this week Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said the Captain Cook represented a “massive opportunity for someone to come in and be part of Middlesbrough’s bright future in one of the town’s oldest buildings.”

Internally the property offers an approximate useable area of 6,028 sq ft, across a basement, ground floor and two upper floors. Following the recent works, the basement and ground floor now offer largely open plan floor space, with the upper two floors retaining their original layout.

The property is to be let in its current state, meaning a significant fit-out is required by any incoming tenant. The internals have been stripped back to the brick walls, and service instillation is required throughout.

The rental level is to be negotiated following application and will consider both the proposed use and length of term, with incentives available to assist with the initial fit-out.

To express your interest in letting the former Captain Cook Pub please contact Jack Walton in Middlesbrough Council’s Valuation and Estates Team via Jack_Walton@Middlesbrough.gov.uk, who will be able to provide further information on the application process.

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