All Aboard for New Venture

The Floating Grace - a 70ft long, 13.5ft wide canal boat - is to set sail on her maiden voyage on Thursday (24 November) and is a new venue for conferences, meetings, outings and parties.

The barge, which can hold up to 50 passengers, will play host to a networking event for business women, giving them the opportunity to link up businesses and discuss issues facing their organisation.

It will set off from Mann Island Basin and passengers will enjoy a leisurely three hour journey through the new Liverpool Canal Link past the Three Graces and taking in the other historic city sites on the way.

In order to establish the Floating Grace, the Vauxhall Neighbourhood Council (VNC), one of the city's leading social enterprises, received a £20,000 grant from Stepclever which helps start up businesses and existing organisations in North Liverpool and South Sefton grow and develop.

The VNC used the money to equip the vessel to provide a high quality sound system, install broadband and ensure the Canal Boat has disabled access. The support also helped towards start up costs.

Nigel Mellor Project Manager for the Restaurant Canal Boat initiative said: "It has taken three years of really hard work to get to this launch stage.

"We are very grateful for all the help we have had along the way- particularly from Stepclever- since this has meant we can offer excellent facilities to meet customers' different requirements.

"And,we're delighted to welcome the Women's Organisation on board for our maiden voyage!"

Not only are these voyages a first for events in the city, but the canal boat itself isn't a traditional boat as it is driven from the front and inside the cabin - rather than being controlled from the back deck, on the outside.

Liverpool City Council's cabinet member for employment, enterprise and skills, Councillor Nick Small, said: "The Floating Grace is really filling a gap in the market - not only is it providing a unique venue for events, but it also gives passengers the opportunity to enjoy the city's fantastic architecture from an entirely new perspective.

"One of Stepclever's goals is to help entrepreneurs achieve their business dream and give them as much help and advice to make their business viable in these current, difficult economic times.

"The Stepclever team work hard with local businesses to make sure they grow and flourish and I hope that the Floating Grace is a successful venture and people take the opportunity to make the most of this venue with a difference."

For more information, visit www.thefloatinggrace.com, call 0151 482 2534 or email enquiries@thefloatinggrace.com