Early Trading

Even with the restrictions placed on the venture by the local council we had little choice but to open without full planning consent being received. A massive amount of work had been completed on the ship and we were down to our last penny. 

We still thought, however, that we had a backed a winner.

The Funship opened in 1980 and we offered a wide range of services and amenities.

The car deck was earmarked for the market. However, in the centre of the car deck are the boiler and engine rooms, together with steps leading to the upper decks.

The engine rooms were still pretty much in pristine condition so this gave us the benefit of being able to provide guided tours to the visitors. I know many a father or grandfather who would have rather gone done in to the bowels of the ship to look at machinery rather than be dragged around a Sunday market.

The car deck could hold over 100 cars but it was only capable of holding one heavy goods vehicle per journey because of the restricted headroom.

However, it gave us enough space for 100 normal size market stalls. We also built the bingo hall and a market café in this space too. We couldn’t have asked for more as this was the main purpose of the ship from the beginning, to house a market.

However the versatility and the potential of the ship was immense.  

The intention was to use the cabins below the car deck as out ‘boatel’. These were all still in very good condition and we could have easily rented them out.

The level directly about the car deck had large open plan areas which could also house more market stalls. The lounges were very light and airy and provided a nice relaxed area.

We also had the Sea View cafeteria on this level which provided basic, well cooked food for a fair and reasonable price.

Also on this level, towards the middle was The Dolphin Bar and Restaurant. This was a part of the ship which really showed the ships heritage. Silver service cutlery and crisp, clean white linen tablecloths were the order of the day, wonderful backdrop for our renowned Sunday Lunches.

As you can imagine the view from the port side of the ship looking down the river were incredible and you had a really high vantage point.

Finally on this level,  The Pirate bar, right at the front of the ship and still kitted out as it was when the ship left service, however, we did have to change the layout of the bar and how the beer was delivered to the pumps.

Moving up a level and we had even more space available as this is where the seating lounges were during its ferry days.

Here we housed the Nuptune Coffee Lounge, a pool hall which was towards the back of the ship, a snack bar, a picnic area and the children’s cinema.

We provided child care facilities for parents wanting to look around the markets without the hindrance of bored children, this was way ahead of its time thirty years ago.

The next level again we had a state of the art arcade. We had all the latest machines, fruit machines and penny fountains. This was a very popular part of the ship. I can assure you we had all the best machine released in the early part of the 1980’s.

Also, on this deck we had a section set aside explaining the history of the ship, we had a mock up of the ship and surrounding area and a pictorial history of the area.

Also, towards the back of this deck was the aft wheelhouse. At this time we were trying our best to accommodate the council, and in 1984 I even allowed them to use the aft wheel house during the summer months. This was to be a central radio station for the council beach guards working along the North Wales coast.

Finally, at the very top was the forward wheel house and radio room which were opened to the public and the officers quarters which we used to house all the staff.

It is a little known fact that The Funship was not only our business but it was also our home. 

We lived aboard for many years and the term The Funship was really born out our not letting the bastards grind us down, meaning Delyn Borough Council.

And we succeeded as our other business ventures are a testimony too.