Former Mersey Ferry Royal Daffodil embarks on new adventure as food, drink and events venue

Relaunching as 'Daffodil' the former ferry was moved off its mooring at Duke Street Quayside in Birkenhead and hoisted out of the water to undergo £600,000 extensive restoration and re-purposing works.

It will be permanently relocated to Canning Dock, situated next door to Albert Dock in Liverpool, over the next few months.

The innovative project aims to preserve a part of Merseyside's maritime heritage for years to come by opening Daffodil back to the public as a place to drink and eat plus host events and weddings right on the waterfront.

After decommissioned in 2012, the ferry has been in a deteriorating state but Daffodil will relaunch as a static, floating venue featuring a cafe, cocktail bar and 106-seat seafood and grill restaurant alongside a Promenade Deck and event space in the former engine room of the hull.

There are also plans for 11 bedrooms of onboard guest accommodation to create the region's largest floating hotel.

A launch date is yet to be confirmed.

Spearheaded by local business leaders such as chief executive of Liverpool City Sights Philip Olivier, managing director of Orb Events Agency Joshua Boyd and managing directors of Baltic Village businesses Alfred McCaughran and Terence Stockton, the project was initially pitched to Merseytravel in June 2018.

It was then assessed and approved by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and Merseytravel board members in April 2019.

Philip said: “Everybody has a story to tell about the Mersey Ferries.

"Whether its memories of trips over the river, to all those who’ve worked on or built and maintained the fleet over the generations, to stories of people meeting and marrying partners on the Daff herself.

"We’re all honoured as proud Liverpudlians to have been granted the opportunity to keep this vessel within the city region and the team is working hard to ensure that it can become a real destination for visitors and local people alike.

"For that reason, it’s been so important to ensure that investment and jobs pay back into the area and that the business can continue to contribute to the development of our waterfront zone and the wider Visitor Economy.”

The engineering works for the Daffodil are project managed by Bromborough's Carmet Marine and a range of contractors from across Merseyside are being used for furnishings, interior design works and key refurbishments.

Brett Metcalfe of Carmet Marine told the Globe: "Carmet are delighted to be involved with this very exciting project which will see this fine old vessel enter a new stage in her life.

“It is extremely important that these heritage craft are kept on the water in some shape or form and although we will not see her cruising proudly on the River Mersey she will be close to the centre of Liverpool and able to be enjoyed by a great many people.

“It is a pleasure to be able to assist in bringing the perception of Phil and his team to life.”

There are plans to preserve the rich heritage of the vessel alongside a mini-museum which will exhibit the history of River Mersey crossings and to preserve the heritage of 'The Daff' which was originally built at Cammell Laird.

In April 1962, the Royal Daffodil was given her maiden voyage where she went on to carry passengers until December 2012 and has been used to host plenty of functions and cruises over the years.

Mersey Ferries Heritage Society and local enthusiasts are also working with the new owners.

It is hoped that more than 16 jobs will be created by the new venture and it is hoped Daffodil will become a major tourist attraction.

For more information about the project and to keep up-to-date with Daffodil's progress visit