Plans to transform a historic River Mersey ferry into a restaurant and event space will be decided next week.
For 64 years, the MV Royal Daffodil took passengers across the famous river connecting Liverpool and the Wirral. Now, more than a decade since she was decommissioned, plans could be approved that will turn her into a restaurant, bar and hotel.
Originally submitted in 2019, new proposals were put forward earlier this year to redesign the ferry - once known as MV Overchurch - into a restaurant, bar and 13-bed boutique hotel.
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If the plans are approved by Liverpool Council's planning committee next week then the Daffodil will be anchored to a mooring point located within Canning Dock at the boundary with Strand Street and near to the entrance of Salthouse Quay. The dock is owned by the Canal and River Trust.
The plans, which come from Philip Borg-Olivier and Liverpool City Ships Ltd, ask for permission to carry out refurbishment works to the ship in order to turn it into a “unique and nationally significant hospitality venture.”
If approved, the promenade deck area will become a drinking establishment, the main deck will form a restaurant, the lower deck will become the hotel area and the bridge deck space will be turned into a heritage museum.
The mini heritage museum would aim to 'showcase the historic significance of the vessel formerly named the Royal Daffodil and both the Mersey Ferry and Mersey river crossing heritage of the city region.'
The external structure of the vessel would be restored, with minimal changes made to its physical appearance, to allow the boat to be in keeping with the character of the local surrounding, according to the statement. Any external features of the ferry will be retained where possible and restored while any items that are too dilapidated or not in keeping with the new use will be replaced like for like or as similar as possible to its original feature.
The outer hull and funnel are to be repainted in their original colours using the same materials, with all original timber deck flooring being cleaned, sanded and restored. Original navigation consoles, a new ship’s wheel and binnacle are to remain on the bridge deck to provide historical significance and be used for the heritage museum.
The application’s heritage statement said: “The intended restoration of the vessel back to its former glory provides an historic tourist attraction and will boost the economy of the area. Whilst providing a commendable outlook for sustainably, bringing the vessel back from the brink of the scrap yard, a piece of maritime history that would have been lost.”
Planning officers at Liverpool City Council are recommending that the application is approved when the planning committee meets at Liverpool Town Hall on Tuesday June 6.
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