Call for businesses to join forces and save Lincoln floating restaurant

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A Lincoln Managing Director is calling on other businesses in the area to create a consortium to save the city’s floating restaurant The Barge.

As previously reported, The Barge was put up for sale last week for around £300,000 after its current owner retired.

Rob Hunter, Managing Director of Place Homes Lincoln has already started the ball rolling on the idea with five out of the required 10 companies interested in the idea.

He has suggested that if 10 businesses invest £30,000 each, with an additional £5,000 a year going forward to cover outgoings of rent and rates, then with the correct staff, the unique character of the restaurant could be preserved.

The five parties currently signed up to the idea include:

  • Abode Property
  • Student Housing Lincoln
  • Fresh Rent
  • Local Landlord
  • Place Homes Lincoln

Rob said: “There is a sense of utter disbelief that The Barge has closed and we are looking to a practical way to get it re-opened.

“This is a much loved restaurant. It’s part of Lincoln’s development and the water front today and for the last 20 years.

“If we can get it re-opened we may all feel very proud, and I would hope that its current owner Catherine would make an occasional celebrity appearance.”

Harry Conti, Director of Student Housing Lincoln, who is also interested in the idea of a consortium, said: “The reason we decided to get involved is, as agents we are constantly trying to sell the city and we thought it would be such a shame to lose The Barge.

“We have a lot of development happened on The Brayford and we want to help keep this part of it going.

“I used to be the promotions manager for some clubs in town and have experience, which could help to boost the business.”