A decision is to be made on plans to turn a historic former River Mersey ferry into a “unique and nationally significant hospitality venue.”
For more than six decades, the MV Royal Daffodil took thousands of passengers across the river connecting Liverpool and the Wirral. Now, more than a decade since she was decommissioned, plans for a redesign of the historic vessel could be ready to set sail subject to Liverpool Council approval.
Having originally been submitted in 2019, fresh proposals have been put forward to reimagine the ferry - once known as MV Overchurch - into a restaurant, bar and event space. Subject to Liverpool Council approval, the Daffodil would be anchored at a mooring point located within Canning Dock, leased from Canal and River Trust.
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The vessel is owned by applicant Liverpool City Ship Ltd, who would use the ship for a mixture of uses for events such as corporate events, conferences, weddings, exhibitions and live music events. The external decks would be used from 8am to 10pm while the covered areas would operate until 2am.
Part of the bridge deck would also comprise a heritage museum. Potential use as a boutique hotel on the lower deck could be introduced “once the other uses on the boat have become established and successful,” according to planning documents.
Liverpool City Ship Ltd said it wants to transform this vessel into a “unique and nationally significant hospitality venue.” The vessel is currently being refurbished in a Liverpool dock having fallen into a dilapidated condition.
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.
A report ahead of Liverpool Council’s planning committee next week said: “The project has been developed to create a sustainable future use for this historical asset, as well as underpinning the wider regeneration of the waterfront zone.
“The vision for the vessel is to create the region’s premier floating food and drink destination and to attract tourism for the area by providing a unique, iconic visitor attraction.” The plans didn’t win universal approval however, with three residents from nearby One Park West, objecting on the grounds that the ship is moored near residential properties and “unacceptable noise levels” would impact homes.
Further concerns were raised by heritage specialists who felt the works would “fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Albert Dock conservation area and the setting of the grade II listed Canning Dock retaining wall.” The specialist said while there were no concerns over the mooring of the boat, two of three cabinets facilitating services it needs were “not appropriate for this historically sensitive location.”
Liverpool Council planning officers deemed the application appropriate however, claiming the “wider public benefits outweigh the less than substantial harm to the significance of the setting of the listed dock walls and the character and appearance of the Albert Dock Conservation Area.” In recommending the plans be approved, officers said the application will “secure the sustainable viability of an important local, maritime heritage asset” and “will improve the economic performance of the area by attracting tourists to the area and regenerating the waterfront, thereby, creating a vibrant and safer environment during both day and night.”
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