The licence for what is being dubbed the Solent’s first luxury floating restaurant has been granted after a single objection called the application before the Isle of Wight Council.
Approved last week, by the licensing sub-committee, councillors considered concerns about noise nuisance from The Boat, a 34-metre, fully refurbished yacht, before ruling they had been addressed.
One objector had said the floating restaurant, which would be based at Venture Quays in East Cowes although sailing out into the Solent, would affect nearby residents, including those in the over 55s residential complex, Princess Court.
They said:
“I am sure people would not want a nightclub blaring out music into the night and drinking alcohol there.”
Speaking at the meeting, on behalf of The Boat, solicitor Matthew Phipps said this was not an application for a nightclub as it adhered to restaurant hours and closes at midnight.
The Boat had, however, created a noise management plan, addressing any potential concerns and would act ‘proactively, before any complaints were made’.
The noise management plan had not been finalised, but the council’s environmental health officer said it was ’90% there’ and would have to be completed, and approved, before any licensing activities can start.
Part of the management plan, The Boat said, will ensure customers respect the needs of other users on the sea and those on land, by staff telling customers and monitoring their exit where appropriate, as well as installing signs by the door.
Despite concerns from East Cowes residents, Mr Phipps, said they do not have permission to disembark people at Venture Quays, with attendees arriving via boat or tender.
Plans were revealed earlier this year for a restaurant spread over 3 decks.
The Boat is being run by the Freehold Group, who took inspiration from the Grand Banks oyster bar on the Hudson River in New York. According to the licensing application, it looks to be open as soon as possible but primarily trading during the summer period.
They arrive by boat or tender – how will they depart? Anyone fancy the chances of a boatload of tipsy revellers adrift in the river at night?
This is so obviously a disaster waiting to happen that you have to wonder whether the licensing panel has a brain cell between them … or are we still in the brown envelope era?
I’m from the Thames… There are loads of Part Boats. There are Party Boats all over the world in rivers and at sea.
I agree, plus all over the world there are tunnels, not slow moving ferries..
Oh no, someone might get wet and immediately rescued. This isn’t the mid atlantic.
To have a LUXURY restaurant you need a LUXURY venue. The Solent is just the entrance road to an industrial park.
I cannot see a problem here, It is supposed to be a luxury RESTAURANT… Does not say it is going to be a disco night club, not like the Ryde Queen… BUT may end up the same way !! The tides in and out of the river Medina are very strong, especially by the invisible floating bridge !!
lets hope its not the floating bridge and it breaks down in the middle of the Solent
I bet its not very noisy
I bet its a really nice venue
With really nice food
I bet no one from round here will be able to afford a night out on it
One would rather have decent, educated and well to do getting a little merry, than the lower elements, who have to damage property, pick on innocents, and have foul mouths to have their perceived good times.
This Island needs less of the latter and more of the former. Social housing should be cut to the bone to discourage additional amounts here.
We moved to escape such, and we welcome venues where such are priced out.
Sorry your Lordship, forgot us local scum who empty your bins, stack the shop shelves, work in the nursing homes, deliver your Waitrose are such a problem for you since you retired here pushing us locals out of the housing market.
Looks like its only the working class left that care about the rest of humanity.
I got the impression he was probably referring to the underclass of scummers, rather than decent hard working people. Coming from a poor, poverty stricken background does not automatically make one into a scummy, violent, foul mouthed lowlife like he is describing. So why would anyone take offence unless they think they are like that themselves? Hopefully you’re not like that, so why be offended? I wouldn’t go to dine on that ship even if I could afford to, but I shop at Waitrose, no more expensive than Tesco & generally a better, more civlised type of customer than found in some shops, so there’s no need for inverted snobbery. No shame in being working class, it’s not the same as being underclass. And anyway, plenty of people from ‘better’ backgrounds end up as scum because of life choices and the type of people they are.
Oh, be quiet. If you feel hard done by and “skint” why not do extra training to up your expertise and, therefore, your income. The only person who has described you as scum is YOU. Why not train to HGV level and earn £70k a year. Or do you expect it to fall into your lap?
Well said Squire, I believe you are absolutely correct
Definitely sounds great to me !!!
Should be a very enjoyable experience….
How different to all the pubs and restaurants on the island ….serving the same old boring menus !!!
Ham egg and chips egg and cress baguettes jkt potatoes with tuna dripping in cheap mayonnaise etc etc ….
Can’t wait to book
You are indeed Sensible! Well said
Ideal for the 2nd home owners, but it sounds too expensive for most islanders. Described as ‘luxury’; this is not the Solent with all the commercial traffic around.
That dear boy, is the point.
We don’t wish to be forced to mix with those ‘avin a nite out on their child allowance’ and then claiming a free food parcel for them the next week.
It is nice to segragate such, and the only way now is by pricing them out of such venues.
Why do people moan and groan before they even know the details and facts?
I don’t care who it caters for, it will find its own level of clientele. Best of luck to them as it’s good to see someone having a go instead of knocking everyone that gets of their butts to do something.