All systems go for floating restaurant
SUSTAINABILITY is at the forefront of plans for a new floating restaurant in the QEII Marina which is due to open in the summer.
Township Holdings director Jon Wilson secured planning permission for the development in 2020 but delays caused by Covid meant that things have not progressed until now.
The 30.5m vessel being used for the restaurant, the Portsmouth Queen, was set to be scrapped after ending its service in 2016.
Mr Wilson said that he aimed to close the loop on waste by repurposing the ship for hospitality use.
‘The ferry was at the end of its life, the Clipper used to have to dodge it on its way into Portsmouth Harbour.
‘I thought we could give it an extra life and it could be a bar or restaurant,’ he said.
At high tide the restaurant will be floating and when the tide goes down it will sit on a bed of recycled aggregate to maintain access throughout the day.
‘The work it needs is superficial, we can paint it to look pretty again.
‘It was about taking something people think has little value and making it into something – plus Guernsey doesn’t have a floating restaurant.’
Two managerial staff have been recruited so far.
‘It’s all systems go now. The boat is visible, it will need doing up and the decking sorted out on the top, new toilets and inside made appropriate for restaurant use.
‘We also want to make it as accessible as possible for people who are not as mobile, especially with the tidal range being what it is,’ said Mr Wilson.
He said he has already had enquiries from people who wanted to host events.
‘When I was speaking to Planning I was thinking who my stakeholders are and what can I do for them.
‘I have had people asking to have their wedding on the boat and a 50th birthday.
‘It’s still a residential zone so everyone will have to be out by midnight, but I would love to use it as a venue, within reason.’
In the interim, Mr Wilson was considering using the boat to temporarily house Ukrainian refugees, if he was given permission to do so.
He said it was not a guaranteed plan and that it was only in the discussion stages.
‘If we can house some people in dire straits and if someone is hurting, maybe we could do something.’
