Colin Pike Owner and Founder
I developed the ‘arm’ of the canal basin which included the mooring of the former Baguette Barge in 2018. This unique project consisted of the installation of c.100m2 of decking over the water on a specially designed steel support and framework. This currently provides a fully Licensed space consisting of 72 seated covers plus additional standing room at high tables that run parallel along the length of the boat. Food is available to eat in or to take-away. There is plenty of picnic space in the adjacent canal and riverside gardens that surround the site, in front of the world’s most iconic theatre.
The boat is the former Baguette Barge that has been fully refurbished and adapted to provide bar, servery areas and a cold room. It has a separate wood-fired pizza oven, storage and preparation areas on the stern deck that can produce up to 120 wood-fired pizzas per hour. Our pizza oven is a world leading ‘Bushman’ oven as found in several Michelin starred restaurants. The boat has a large galley space that is mostly unused as future potential to expand the food side of the business. The branding and beer reflect our family connections with Kent that go back generations. My grandfather was a volunteer pilot with the RAF and trained many pilots for Bomber Command during WW2 on such aircraft as the Mosquito as well as volunteering to do 50 raids across Germany as PIC in the same aircraft. The blue as used on the boat is Air Force Blue in his memory and the beer is from Shepherd Neame which was his (and my) favourite. Shepherd Neame is Britain’s oldest brewer, based in Faversham, Kent since 1698. They use natural ingredients, such as mineral water from the town’s aquifer and local hops. They produce Kentish ales that are bursting with character and renowned international lagers. Given the unique location and offering we have already established a great following with both locals and tourists, many of whom have described the experience as like being on holiday abroad. Please come along for a pizza and a drink or two to sample a slice of Mediterranean living in the middle of our town. We guarantee you a warm welcome! |