Westminster City Council has approved a license allowing GoBoat, a company leasing pleasure boats on London’s canals, to sell beer and wine on its skippered cruises. The permission permits the sale of up to two cans of beer per customer or a bottle of wine shared between two, during operating hours from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week.
The decision faced opposition from local residents who expressed fears that alcohol sales could exacerbate antisocial behavior, including public intoxication and property damage. One resident voiced concerns about unruly behavior, stating, “They will climb over our boats, they will moor their boats to our boats, they will climb over the gates to get to our flowerbeds for a pee.”
During the council’s licensing committee meeting, residents recounted troubling incidents such as public sex, nudity, intimidation, harassment, and vandalism linked to canal boat activities. These concerns had previously led GoBoat to prohibit drinking on its self-driving rental boats following protests from residents and barge owners.
GoBoat co-founder Julian Wootton emphasized that the new alcohol service was intended as part of a “high-quality professional operation,” distinct from previous unsupervised drinking. He described the offering as a luxury, well-managed experience for small groups seeking a serene boating environment. Wootton also highlighted security measures, including mandatory bag checks before boarding, with entry refused to those who do not comply.
The company had prior authorization from the Canal & River Trust to operate bring-your-own-alcohol cruises but sought the liquor license to sell alcohol directly from its base at Merchant Square, Paddington.
As conditions of the license, Westminster Council required GoBoat to install CCTV cameras and prohibited the sale of spirits, aiming to mitigate potential disturbances. The council’s decision reflects a balance between supporting local businesses and addressing residents’ concerns over canal safety and behavior.
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