Man About Town – May 2026

By Mark Edwardson

An imaginative businessman has just sailed into Congleton and he’s got some big plans that might float your boat.

When a large ship berthed in Congleton she was greeted with a wave of excitement. But various plans and owners came and went and the boat known as “The Pearl of the Dane” or “The Steamboat” fell in to sad decline and ultimately dilapidation. If the former Danish trawler had actually been floating in the River Dane it would probably have capsized and sunk years ago. What started as an adventure ended in failure.

Now, a proposal has been put together by local businessman, Chris Shaw who wants to completely refurbish, repurpose and relaunch “Limanda” to give the vessel its original name. He told me, “From what I know, it’s a Danish trawler that was built in 1974. But it’s become an eye-sore for the town centre now. It’s a mess.”

Most people would run a mile from a rotting hulk. “I think this is something where the heart overtakes the brain and I think it’s got masses of potential” he declared confidently.

So what does 42 year-old Chris, who owns a car repair business and many properties, believe can be done with the “Pearl”? He explained, “People have got fond memories of it. People were married and had their wedding receptions on it. A restaurant is a no-go. I’m thinking short-term holiday lets with high-end decor. It’d be unique, niche, it’ll do well on social media.” Chris went on, “It’s a boat in a town centre and probably the only one in such a location that’s not actually in a river. It’ll do numbers on that basis.”

Chris sees the boat as a centrepiece of a wider development along that stretch of The Dane and, he believes, will improve the community of Congleton. “There’s a lot of river’s edge there from the park to the bridge. It’s got to be a viable and successful business. Whether there’s food or coffee or constantly changing themes it should add to the attractiveness of the town and the boat will be the gem at the centre of the development.”

The trawler will need to be removed temporarily and restored to save it. No small job as Chris is only too aware, “It’s got a lot of rot in it. We’ll make it water tight but it won’t be floating in the river again. We’ll need to build a dry dock to house it too. It’ll cost a few hundred thousand to do everything.”

Chris understands there have been major problems in the past, but he’s looking past the opportunity to make some money and he’s mindful of the boat’s future place in the community. “It’s a landmark, something different and exciting. Once it gets under way people will want to come aboard. It’s got to work for the community and the people and the town. It should be part of what makes Congleton attractive to people beyond its boundaries.”

Doubtless Chris has taken on a huge project. If he gets the go-ahead he knows not everyone will be behind him at first. But he’s got the wind in his sails. “There’ll be a lot of nay-sayers who’ll say it can’t be done. It’ll be nice to prove them wrong”.