There was a new arrival on the River Tyne 40 years ago.
It was March 1983, and local entrepreneur and nightclub owner, Michael Quadrini, was standing on Newcastle Quayside next to his latest acquisition. A former car ferry might not, at first sight, have seemed the most glamorous of vessels, but the businessman had an ambitious plan - one that would eventually become reality, but would need to overcome a variety of hurdles first.
The Chronicle had broken the exciting story earlier in the year: 'Floating Luxury Nightspot for Tyne'. Mr Quadrini, who already owned the trendy Tuxedo Junction nightspot in Newcastle city centre, was ready to launch a luxurious floating nightclub on a ship berthed at Newcastle Quayside.
