Reading boat could be used for parties and events

A boat named ‘Alexandra’ is currently moored at Pipers Island just east of Caversham Bridge.

Alexandra is owned by Thames River Cruise, a company that owns a number of boats that do trips up and down the river.

The cruise company’s registered business name D&T Scenic Ltd has now applied for regulated entertainment from 9am to midnight, to sell food until midnight and alcohol until 2am each day.

Tim Deaton, managing director of Thames River Cruise, has explained the reason for the application.

He said: “All this is its a passenger boat that we have got that is like a day tripper, it’s a very open boat as opposed to those which have roofs.

“We just wanted to serve drinks and coffee and what have you on it, that’s basically all we are doing. All our other boats have licences, with this being a recent addition to our fleet.

“In the first instance all our boats have a similar set up for the licence."

Caversham Lady on a trip along the River Thames. Credit: Thames River Cruise

Mr Deaton went on to explain that the times and activities applied for give the company flexibility.

He said: “Our boats can be booked for private parties. We do a lot of weddings and corporate events.

“For example, you may get a party that goes on until midnight but are coming back to the mooring a little late, so the times applied for make sure we operate in the legal limits.

“Sometimes we do transport for weddings and things like that, if guests are coming back from a wedding reception in Mapledurham or somewhere similar, people may want a drink on the way back.

“The application has been tailored to cover any and all things we may want to do.”

READ MORE: Houseboat burgled while moored on River Thames in Reading

Alexandra is mostly an open boat that is a relatively new addition to the fleet.

Some of its voyages last year involved operating as a river taxi for music fans getting to Reading Festival.

Alexandra will replace a boat that will be retired.

Explaining the nature of Alexandra, Mr Deaton said: “This particular boat would be great for a barbecue in summer.

“Basically we are a hotel room at float.

“We have discos, bands and stuff like that, but we are concious of the environment we work in, we try and keep the volume down so we are not a nuisance to neighbours on the river.”

READ MORE: Reading Festival voted number one best festival in the UK above Glastonbury

The licensing application has been submitted to Reading Borough Council.

Anyone who wants to make a representation can do so by emailing licensing@reading.gov.uk, with the deadline for responses being Friday, June 16.

Those commenting must provide their names according to the Licensing Act, with representations provided to the applicant.

As standard, no written representations will have personal details removed unless the council’s licensing department deems it appropriate to do so.

Any request for personal details to be removed and the justification for such a request should be notified to the licensing department at the time of making the representation.

Anyone with questions should contact the licensing department using the email above.