A NEW floating restaurant and wine bar is hoping to make a splash.
The Duchess Cruises, based at Kings Bromley Waterside and Marina, has been launched by Lorraine Thomas.
She said she had been inspired to turn her passion for hospitality into a unique leisure venues.
Baker Lorraine said the fully renovated narrowboat was designed to cater for 12 guests at a time and would offer brunch, afternoon teas, cocktails and canapes. It will also be available for private hire.
She said:
"The idea behind The Duchess was to create an experience people genuinely remember - not just somewhere to eat or drink.
"We wanted it to feel intimate, luxurious and welcoming from the moment people step onboard.
"Everything is designed to feel personal. The food is homemade and hand-crafted, the atmosphere is cosy and every cruise is about spending quality time with friends, family or loved ones in a completely different setting.
"There’s something magical about being on the water. Life slows down a little and people properly switch off. We want friends and families to make their wonderful memories on board The Duchess and can’t wait to finally open.
"With a capacity of just 12 it will be special. We aim to attract couples, friends and families and look forward to welcoming birthday parties, baby showers, hen celebrations, business outing events and visitors looking for unique experiences."
The food will be made-in-house and freshly prepared by Lorraine, including hand-crafted desserts, patisserie-inspired treats as well as savoury indulgences.
Lorraine added:
"The launch also reflects growing demand for experience-led hospitality and social occasions, with more people seeking memorable days out rather than traditional nights out.
"I know the majority of my friends would opt for an afternoon event rather than partying late into the evening these days, so those people are definitely our target customers.
"I will be doing a soft launch event for friends and family ahead of the official opening, helping the team fine tune the experience.
"People are looking for experiences they can share together and talk about afterwards. We want guests to step onboard and instantly feel excited, comfortable and looked after.
"It’s been a huge amount of work getting to this stage but seeing the vision become a reality is incredibly rewarding."
For more information visit www.theduchesscruises.co.uk.
