A boat serving up hot and cold food and drink on the river Hamble could be allowed to stay.

A retrospective planning application has been submitted for Floaters Café, a boat moored between the M27 and A27 road bridges on the River Hamble at Bursledon.

The applicants, Paul and Rachel Norries, said the boat was used as a floating café during the summer of 2023.

Therefore, they applied to Eastleigh Borough Council to retain permission to continue using the boat as a food business.

The boat is not accessible by land except by prior arrangement. It serves paddlers and boaters using the river and the local boatyard community.

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It serves takeaway food and drink via hatches on the side of the boat to customers on the river. 

Customers arrive at the boat on paddleboards, kayaks, small boats or dinghies. Residents of the boatyard who have access to the pontoon can also walk along it and order via the hatch.

No customer can go aboard the boat, and all food is taken away to be consumed.

The menu includes breakfast burgers and rolls, cheeseburgers, paninis, ice cream, ice lollies, and all sorts of hot and cold drinks. The owners are planning to sell alcoholic drinks, but this is pending a licence.

On board, they have a hot plate, small oven, coffee machine, fridge, freezer, chiller, and other kitchen equipment.

Mr and Mrs Norries said that since customers take orders away, waste is minimal. Recycling is taken away and coffee grounds are taken to Mr and Mrs Norries’ house to be composted in their own garden.

Public consultation on the plans is open until August 29. More information can be found on Eastleigh Borough Council’s planning portal with the planning reference F/24/97444.