Hopes to transform Linthorpe Road’s former Shakespeare pub into flats

Over several generations, the Shakespeare, known affectionately as ‘The Shaky’ was a Linthorpe Road staple of pub crawls in the town centre, but it might soon be used for an entirely different purpose.

Plans are now under review by Middlesbrough Development Corporation (MDC) to see if planning permission for a change of use of the building should be granted.

Listed building consent is also being sought for internal alterations including layout reconfiguration, loft conversion and erection of new staircase. Externally, proposed changes seek to reinstate the first floor external windows to the side and rear elevations and create a new external access on the rear of the building.

The Shakespeare, captured in August 2024. Credit: Google Maps. Free for LDRS use.

Planning permission was previously granted in 2018 to allow the then-amusement arcade to be converted back into a pub, with reports highlighting the establishment as one of Middlesbrough’s oldest, operating as a hotel and drinking spot for 150 years.

In 2019, it was reported that The Shakespeare had been reincarnated as a gym, and was described as being “unrecognisable”. The historic pub was also transformed into a vintage audio “treasure trove” in 2022.

The current application form sets out the ambition to demolish part of the grade two listed building, built in the mid 19th century. Specifically, this would see internal walls to the first floor removed, in order to accommodate new internal layout and access. 

The impact assessment says that the ground floor has been heavily altered historically and retains “no original features”, with the development proposal adding: “The proposals relate to internal alterations and a new shop front and pedestrian access to serve the upper floor flats. There is minimal physical alterations, with the introduction of a more traditional shop front design will assist in improving the street scene.”

Plans were received in November 2025 and describe the building as “vacant for some time”. While this may be the case on the first floor, Phone Castle was observed to be operating on the ground floor in mid-December 2025. Regardless, planning documents explain that access will remain the same as it currently is for the ground floor commercial unit, and diagrams show that plans relate almost entirely to the first floor.

The diagrams show a desired overhaul of the existing first floor, with four flats that will each have their own bathroom, bedroom and living/cooking area, with one flat having its bedroom at attic level. The proposed flats are to be accessed from Linthorpe Mews – a rear access road servicing shops and adjacent flat entrances from units located above commercial properties, planning papers explain.

The site will not have any in-curtilage parking, however, it is highlighted how there are a number of public car parks as well as parking schemes locally. Public transport links are also highlighted and plans state that cycle storage for the residential units has been incorporated into plans. Bin and cycle storage are noted on the proposed ground floor diagram.

Concluding remarks, advocating the proposals, add: “It is considered that the works are beneficial to the area, the works provide new residential units for the area which positively improves the building. The proposals will be beneficial to the area and do not adversely affect the privacy and amenity of the neighbouring properties or negatively impact the highway provision/safety. 

“On the basis of the information provided, we are of the opinion that the proposals fully accord with the development plan and there are no other material considerations that would indicate the permission should be refused in this instance. We would therefore respectfully request that the local planning authority resolve to grant planning permission.”