Floating bar and restaurant the PS Tattershall Castle has lowered the gangplanks and welcomed customers aboard on completion of a £1.8 million refurbishment that has given the paddle steamer moored at Embankment a new lease of life ahead of the key summer trading period, as well as presenting attractive facilities for a wide range of events to suit from 25 to 250 or more people.
Managed pub and bar operator TCG closed its flagship site on 1st January ahead of a journey later in the month to Hull, the city where the Tattershall Castle spent 39 years as a passenger ferry across the Humber. Repairs, including strengthening of the hull, repainting and interior redesign, were carried out at the MMS shipyard in Hull and then at Tilbury Dock, before the ship returned to its berth opposite the London Eye in April.
Back in London, the Tattershall Castle was handed over to its new ‘Skipper’, Craig Taylor, who was previously general manager at two of TCG’s successful Soho pubs. Taylor and the TCG training team have recruited and trained 40 new members of staff and prepared the ship to re-open with new food and drink offers and improved facilities throughout.
Refurbished inside and out
In addition to the exterior works, which included repainting the ship’s distinctive funnel in red, blue and yellow, and installing LED lights for extra standout at night, the main lounge area – now called the Wardroom – has been redesigned, creating cabin-style booths that can be booked for drinks or meals. The main bar has been refurbished to accommodate an extended drinks range, the original engine room has been restored and made visible, allowing enthusiasts to view it more clearly and the function space, now named ‘Steamers’ – a name used in years gone by – has been upgraded for private events and performances of the popular Boat Show Comedy Club.
Food and drink refreshed
Both the food and drinks offers have been refreshed for the re-opening. Five food menus target different customers and occasions: a lunch and dinner menu, now shortened to improve service at peak trading sessions; weekend brunch; children’s menu; buffet selection and al fresco menu for the Burger Shack located on deck.
The main menu retains pub food favourites such as Fish & Chips and the Club Sandwich, while adding a number of new dishes such as sharing platters and mussel pots in three different sauces. Across all dishes, more emphasis is placed on the provenance of ingredients, such as Birchstead steak and Bleikers smoked salmon, as a way of signaling the quality of the food to diners.
The drinks offer now includes a range of UK and imported craft beers including Beavertown Neck Oil on draught and Curious IPA, Little Creatures and Goose Island in bottle. The flagship cask ale is London Pride, with the Tattershall Castle being the only place actually on the Thames where the iconic Fuller’s beer is served. In keeping with its maritime heritage, the bar now stocks 30 different rums, including Pussers Blue Label, Wray & Nephew Overproof and Havana Club 15 year old. The drinks list also offers 25 gins, a range of classic cocktails and wines.
TCG chief operating officer Nigel Wright said, “Refurbishing the Tattershall Castle presented some unique challenges compared to pubs on dry land and the project was several years in the planning stage before committing to it. The final result is nothing short of spectacular and we are grateful to everyone within TCG, the team at the shipyard in Hull and other specialists, who have helped us to re-open today.
“We’re delighted to have played a part in preserving the PS Tattershall Castle’s status as a London icon and making sure that it is ready to serve the capital’s residents and visitors for many more years.”
For more information click here
For more information about the Boat Show Comedy Club click here