“It’s an honour that No 1 Ship Street has been named amongst the UK’s best restaurants in Open Table‘s Top 100, and we are over the moon about the award, but it’s all down to my team,” owner Ross Drummond says.
‘we are the only restaurant not just in Oxford, but the whole of Oxfordshire, in the open table award’
Having opened the esteemed Oxford restaurant nine years ago, it’s still as busy as ever, and the Open Table award is the icing on the cake.
“The award is based on actual reviews – customer satisfaction – so it’s really relevant,” Ross says, “and we are the only restaurant included, not just in Oxford, but the whole of Oxfordshire, so it’s a big deal.”
Ross Drummond is expansive when we meet to chat about his latest accolade, being listed in Open Table’s Top 100 Restaurants in the UK, and having just signed another 15 year lease, No 1 Ship Street is here to stay. “We have no intention of leaving any time soon,” he smiles.
‘I’ve got a few ideas for a couple of new places, maybe something with rooms. I have a few surprises up my sleeve’
Nine years ago it was much more of a gamble when No 1 Ship Street first opened its doors. “The chap that sold me the lease took a punt on me. There were lots of chains with more money than me, but they must have seen how passionate I was about opening my own place. I’d been planning it for years,” Ross remembers.
“We opened because I couldn’t find the kind of place I wanted to eat at in Oxford. It just didn’t exist – somewhere elevated with great food and a really warm welcome but zero pretension.
“But I didn’t have a lot of money so we had to get it right straight away and were under a lot of pressure, but luckily it took off really quickly
So what’s the winning formula? “My team”
So what’s the winning formula? “My team – I have some incredible professionals here and they are key to keeping No 1 Ship Street at the same high level that we started with. It’s all down to word-of-mouth, recommendations and repeat business, because people know what they’re going to get when they come here – brilliant service and better food than anywhere else. We are a safe bet.”
Head chef Owen Little, who also owns 25% of the business, has remained in the kitchens throughout, his food not only delicious but gloriously consistent: “Owen is integral to No 1 Ship Street’s success,” Ross adds. “But in this industry it’s about being surrounded by really great people. Some of them have been with me for 20 years (Ross was formerly at The Crazy Bear), which is a long time in this line of work.”
‘we are 10-15% down since the congestion charge came in, so we are running twice as fast to stay still’
Not that No 1 Ship Street is resting on his laurels, over the years battling with everything from Covid to rising prices, staff shortages and now the congestion charge: “Maintaining your success the hardest thing to achieve and we wouldn’t have been able to do the same thing now because all the costs have gone up, and we are 10-15% down since the congestion charge came in, so we are running twice as fast to stay still,” Ross says.
“We used to have a team of 45 across the two sites (Ross took over The Chequers in Fingest three years ago EXCLUSIVE: “It’s a fabulous pub” Oxford’s No 1 Ship Street opens The Chequers in the Chilterns) and now we are down to 30.
‘We’ve just signed another 15 year lease, so No 1 Ship Street is here to stay. We have no intention of leaving any time soon’
“But we are one of the lucky ones. We are still really busy. We had 230 diners here on Saturday night and no one else is doing contemporary British food in Oxford city centre.
Ross also has lots of plans on the back burner and promises to reveal all in the New Year but does admit: “I’m not finished yet. I’m still driven to create places that make you feel alive. I’ve got a few ideas for a couple of new places, maybe something with rooms, something closer to home. Put it this way, I have a few surprises up my sleeve.”
In the meantime, No 1 Ship Street is being given a refurb in the New Year to keep its renowned aesthetic as sharp as ever, and no doubt its customers will keep flocking. “You have to keep evolving in this business but when you are passionate about what you do you have to keep pushing.”
You can try No 1 Ship Street for yourself by entering our OXINABOXMAS giveaway which is offering a £200 voucher for a meal there. Find out more here OXINABOXMAS CHRISTMAS GIVEAWAY – Win prizes every day from Dec 1-31 with nights away, meals out, vouchers, theatre tickets, treatments and gifts!
No.1 Ship Street, Oxford, OX1 3DA. https://www.no1shipstreet.com
