Edinburgh’s the Ship on the Shore completes redevelopment following £550,000 from Santander

The Ship on the Shore, the renowned seafood restaurant in Leith, Edinburgh, has completed the redevelopment of a new bar area after receiving £550,000 funding from Santander.

An iconic restaurant in Leith, The Ship on the Shore is fully booked out most weekends, popular with both locals and tourists for serving fresh, local seafood.

The business prides itself on its sustainability using the freshest produce that arrives daily and is harvested from sustainable stocks. The restaurant, which has a maritime theme to its décor, comprises two dining rooms separated by the main bar.

The restaurant opened in 1988 and was taken over by the current owners, husband and wife team Murray and Tracey Georgeson, in 2006.

Murray has over 30 years in the restaurant and hospitality sector while Tracey has a background in the arts which is reflected in the restaurant’s interior.

The £550,000 funding from Santander Business Banking has allowed the restaurant to redevelop its bar area and will lead to the hiring of additional staff. Leith has seen a huge amount of investment over recent years and is now one of Edinburgh’s most popular tourist locations, with the Royal Yacht Britannia moored in the old dock nearby.

Murray Georgeson, co-owner, The Ship on the Shore, said: “The restaurant is an iconic restaurant in Leith and has been serving seafood to local people and tourists for many years. The funding from Santander has allowed us to develop the bar area, a key destination in itself, so we can continue to improve our facilities and the service we offer our customers.”

David Gallacher, relationship director, Santander Business Banking, said: “We are delighted to support Murray and Tracey with their modernisation of this traditional, landmark restaurant. Leith is becoming more popular as a tourist destination and The Ship on the Shore is in a prime position to capitalise on the increasing demand. We look forward to working alongside them as they go from strength to strength.”