Bristol-based owner Arne Ringner has put his floating barge restaurant located near Bristol Bridge up for sale, after 36 years.
Originally from Sweden, Ringner, who also owns the Lido restaurant, pool and spa in Clifton and the Three Brothers burger restaurant in Welsh Back, built the Glassboat on a barge in 1986. He and his business partner Magnus Macdonald were refused permission to use it as a floating botanical garden. So they instead opened it as a French-style brasserie which ran successfully for over 30 years until it was relaunched as seafood restaurant and takeaway FiSH during the lockdown.
The boat is 120ft long and 20ft wide and was originally built as a ‘dumb barge’. The asking price is thought to be around £750,000 and includes the vessel, fixtures and fittings, and mooring license. The restaurant has up to 170 covers inside with an additional 32 covers on the quayside. Three gangways leading to the main floor restaurant and bar area plus accommodation over two levels.
Ringner told Bristol Live: “What great times we had onboard the Glassboat. We have fed everybody, from hungry Bristolians to royalty. It’s now time to put the dancing shoes on the shelf and spend time teaching grandchildren to ride a bike. Thank you to all guests, friends and loyal staff for all the good times we’ve had.”
