The famous Royal Daffodil Ferry has got a new permanent home in the city

Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has announced that Mersey Ferries’ Royal Daffodil is today with new owners after a deal has been secured with a leisure based company.

Royal Daffodil, which gave over 50 years of service, is now owned by local company Liverpool City Sights Ltd.

The vessel will now be moved from Duke Street Docks in Birkenhead where she has been since she came out of service in 2013 and is expected to be refurbished and then re-homed in the Canning Dock area as a leisure attraction.

The deal represents a £40,000 annual saving for the Combined Authority which will also be retaining the name Royal Daffodil for the new generation of Mersey Ferries – currently being procured by the organisation.

Phil Olivier, Director of City Sights Ltd said: “I’m delighted that we have managed to secure one of Liverpool’s icons, it was a sad day and when the Royal Iris left the city and since then had only been left for scrap. Now it’s a chance for us to rectify that and let the Royal Dafodil have its rightful home in one of the world’s best waterfronts, ready for its next chapter:”

Steve Rotheram, Metro Mayor for the Liverpool City Region, said: “I wanted to ensure Royal Daffodil was saved from the breaker’s yard, so I made a final call for expressions of interest from commercial organisations and interested parties in June 2018 and I am very pleased to be able to make this announcement today.

“The Mersey Ferries have a special place in all our hearts and this deal should give Royal Daffodil a new lease of life which I know people will be pleased to hear.”

Cllr Liam Robinson, Transport Portfolio Holder for the Liverpool City Region, said:

“It is good news that we have secured new owners for one of our beloved Mersey Ferries in a deal that is hoped will provide a sustainable future for her right here in the city region.”

A procurement process for a new Mersey Ferry is currently underway with announcements expected in the coming months, as part of a 20 year strategy to secure their future for generations to come.