Tugboat cafe gives patrons a new perspective
A 59-year-old tugboat that has been permanently moored in Wellington’s Freyberg Lagoon is for sale.
The refurbished tug and the cafe business associated with it, Boat Cafe, have been put on the market by the owners after seven years.
Built in Scotland, the tugboat went into service in 1958 as the Auckland Harbour Board’s tugboat, Aucklander.
After being retired from active harbour service in 1986, it was bought by Wellington businessman Clem Griffiths and came south to become the capital’s first floating restaurant.
The boat was renamed Tapuhi II and from the early 1990s traded first as the Tugboat on the Bay restaurant and, later, Skippers Seafood Restaurant.
In 2010, the owners of Oriental Bay’s much-loved Parade Cafe, Aldwyn and Janet Cockburn, purchased the tugboat after its previous owners had gone into receivership.
It also came at a time when the buildings housing the Parade Cafe were demolished to make way for an apartment complex.
The Cockburns subsequently leased the tugboat cafe business to their long-standing Parade Cafe general manager, Diane Schollar, who renamed the business Boat Cafe.
The deregistered boat was brought into the lagoon outside the Freyberg swimming pool in 1992 and had been a restaurant and function centre until the Cockburns bought it.
Mark Sherlock of Bayleys said he expected strong interest from owner-operators looking for a unique hospitality opportunity.
‘‘The boat has a full commercial kitchen, more than 700 square metres of dining and event/function spaces over multiple levels and across several decks, and the business has the potential to really take off under enthusiastic and innovative management,’’ Sherlock said.
‘‘On a fine Wellington day the tugboat’s cafe business really hums as walkers, cyclists, family groups and tourists drop in for a coffee or a bite to eat and for the chance to see the harbour from a different perspective.
‘‘The daytime trade is proven; however, there is definitely potential to crank up the events and evening trade aspect of the business to add income.’’
Sherlock believed a ‘‘fresh set of eyes and some new ideas could see business returns go from good to great’’, he said.
The cafe operates on the main deck and is fitted out with a bar, a commercial kitchen, and dining areas with expansive sea views. Stairs from the main cafe lead down to a large lounge area that is set up as an events venue with a bar.
Another flight of stairs leads up from the main cafe to an upper-level lounge and bar, as well as an office area at the front of the vessel.
There is a further upper level with a smaller lounge area and storage.
The tugboat has a Wellington City Council licence to occupy, which includes seven car parks, along with resource consent and a coastal permit from the Wellington Regional Council.