Husband and wife team launch new hotel boat business Castlerose

An entrepreneurial husband and wife team have launched a new hotel boat in the Castlefield area of Manchester.

With support from NatWest, Steve and Stephanie Kitt founded Castlerose Boat Stay, a widebeam canal boat business offering accommodation for up to six guests with two bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, a kitchen, a lounge area with a sofa bed and dining space.

While the hotel boat is moored at Castlefield Basin in central Manchester, the company will also offer optional cruises along the Bridgewater Canal to Salford Quays, Lymm and Worsley.

Steve and Stephanie’s business journey started in 2013 when they saw a traditional hotel boat operating on the canals. Deciding to bring their own twist on the concept to the centre of Manchester, the pair called on Merseyside-based boatbuilding firm Burscough Boats to construct the Castlerose.

Stephanie, who will handle the company’s day-to-day business operations, said: “It’s incredibly exciting to get to this point where we are officially launching the business.

“Cruising along the canals is something Steve and I both love, and to have a business dedicated to this gives us a great deal of pride and satisfaction which we would like to share with our customers.”

She added: “Our offering is different to other canal boat hires as Castlerose is a luxury widebeam boat offering a unique city break location and our customers can have a skippered cruise, which may appeal to those who want the experience but don’t want the responsibility of driving.”

In need of additional funding and support, Steve and Stephanie turned to NatWest business development manager Paul Mak and relationship manager Peter Haykin.

Steve said: “It has taken a lot of time, effort and business help to get this point as we had to get our business plan together, organise financing, find a suitable mooring location and get the boat built to our specification.

“NatWest has absolutely delivered for us. The hardest part in starting the business was finding the financing but Paul, Peter and I looked at various avenues until we secured the right arrangement.”

The couple were introduced to Paul and Peter at NetWest by their accountant, Lee King from Urmston-based TaxAssist.

Paul said: “We were delighted to support Steve and Stephanie on their new business and we wish them every success in achieving their business aspirations.”

Discussing the venture, Peter called Castlerose “an exciting new business” that he believes will bolster Manchester’s tourism offer, adding: “I wish the business much success for the future.”