Liverpool’s Royal Daffodil set for transformation

Liverpool City Ship, a firm headed up by former Brookside actor Philip Olivier, has won planning approval to convert the former Mersey crossing ferry into “the region’s premier floating food and drink destination”. 

The Royal Daffodil, a waterfront attraction that is no longer in use as a ship, is split across four levels. The promenade deck was used as a bar for passengers and the main deck was previously a restaurant. 

The two other levels are the bridge deck, which contained the captain’s quarters, and the lower deck, made up of staffs’ quarters and the engine room. 

The proposals for the ship, which is moored at Canning Dock, include a 2,000 sq ft bar with the same amount of outdoor drinking space near the stern of the promenade deck. 

A 126-cover seafood restaurant will occupy the main deck, while the bridge deck will house a mini heritage museum. 

Plans for the lower deck include event space and potential for a 13-bedroom boutique hotel to be brought forward “in the coming years”. 

The vessel, built in 1958 by Cammell Laird, will undergo minimal changes made to its physical appearance including the repainting of the hull and funnel, and restoration of timber-decked flooring. 

The planner for the scheme is LH Planning with naval architect Lee Nelson as an advisor. 

Olivier’s other ventures include a segway tours company and Joker Boat, a canal barge whose design is based on the theme of the Joker from the Batman franchise.