Café still going strong

A BOAT café business that was started at Easter last year is still going strong with the good weather bringing in a great many customers over the recent holiday period.

This meant that the Boat Café moored on the Kennet & Avon Canal at Meadows Bridge between Bradford and Avoncliff celebrated its first birthday in style, with its manager, Matt Windsor telling us:

Turned out well

"When we opened in 2014 we had no idea whether we would (literally) sink or swim but everything has turned out very well. Things really took off during the summer and we stayed open right through the winter and people seemed to appreciate our hot stove on cold, wet days. We even opened on Christmas Day and Boxing Day and were packed out. Since we fitted our toilet, Tuesday mornings have become a popular meeting place for mums and babies."

The 70ft narrowboat seats 18 people inside and eight more outside on the bank., with people intrigued at the inside, only normally seeing them from the towpath, with some surprise that it rocks a little when people move about.

Wide range

The café serves hot and cold sandwiches made to order, with a selection of home-made cakes and ice-cream. There is also a wide range of teas, coffees hot chocolate and soft drinks.

The Boat Café is open seven days a week from 9am until 5pm—later in the summer, and friendly dogs are welcome.