The price of Bristol’s Glassboat restaurant has been slashed by around £100,000 after failing to sell since going on the market, BristolLive can reveal. The floating restaurant on Welsh Back, near Bristol Bridge in the city centre, was put up for sale in April after 36 years.
The restaurant was originally being sold for around £750,000, with the price including the boat, all assets of the company, including the fixtures and fittings, and the mooring licence, which is normally £11,200. The 120ft long and 20ft wide former barge has now been reduced to £650,000, according to property company Burston Cook which is managing the sale.
Glassboat was built in 1986 by restaurateur Arne Ringer - the owner of Three Brothers burger restaurant on Welsh Back and the Lido restaurant, pool and spa in Clifton. Mr Ringer, who moved to the UK from Sweden, originally wanted to open a floating botanical garden on the vessel with business partner Magnus Macdonald, but Bristol planners turned down the idea.
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Instead, the duo opened Glassboat, which was a popular fine-dining venue in Bristol in the late 80s to early 00s. According to Mr Ringer, former visitors to the Glassboat even included members of the royal family.
The restaurant and bar has space for 170 diners inside and 32 on the quayside. At one end there is a serving counter which has been used more recently for takeaway fish and chips.
The lower level of the vessel contains a fully fitted kitchen with extraction system, walk-in refrigerator, private dining and function room, cellar and toilets. In 2008, the boat underwent a full refurbishment including over-plating the external shell plating to above the present waterline. It was also re-plumbed and re-wired that year.
A survey of the works carried out in February 2022 showed “minimal wasting” of bottom plating on the boat, meaning the hull is still in “pristine condition", Burston Cook said. In April, Mr Ringer said it was time to put his "dancing shoes on the shelf" and spend time teaching his grandchildren to ride a bike. “Thank you to all guests, friends and loyal staff for all the good times we've had," he said.
According to Burston Cook, Glassboat is ready to trade as a restaurant or “may suit alternative uses” subject to the relevant consents. BristolLive understand the property company is now “considering offers” following the price reduction.
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