Red Boat Ice Cream opens in Menai Bridge, partnership with Menai Heritage

Red Boat owners Tony & Lyn Green (in doorway) with members of Menai Heritage and the Menai Bridge Civic Society
Red Boat owners Tony & Lyn Green (in doorway) with members of Menai Heritage and the Menai Bridge Civic Society

Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour of Beaumaris has expanded into a small but historic building in Menai Bridge. A partnership between Red Boat and Menai Heritage has brought the old Pier Gatehouse building, at the entrance to the promenade and St. George’s Pier, back into use.

The small stone kiosk and gates on St. George’s Road were built in the early 1900s to act as a ticket office for the steamers that plied their trade between the Menai Strait and Liverpool, at the height of the Edwardian tourist boom. It was given Grade II listed status in 1997 by Cadw and was renovated in 2000 by the Menai Bridge and District Civic Society. The owners Isle of Anglesey County Council have leased it to Menai Heritage, the charity that runs the popular Bridges Exhibition in the Thomas Telford Centre and plans to move their museum to Prince’s Pier.

Pier Gatehouse in 1914
Pier Gatehouse in 1914

Anthony Green, the proprietor of Red Boat, says “We are very excited to be opening up this new Red Boat in such a splendid old building in such a splendid setting. The Old Pier Gatehouse is such a charming old building, it is a perfect example of the wealth of historic buildings that the town is blessed with. It is also demonstrates the all-important work that Menai Heritage are undertaking in Menai Bridge in breathing life back into these gems. I think that Mr Telford would be quite impressed.”

Joanna Robertson, Chair of the Menai Bridge Community Heritage Trust, says “Menai Heritage is thrilled to be part of this venture, bringing new life to an historic building. We look forward to seeing more people explore the town’s historic waterfront – and treat themselves to a Red Boat ice cream or sorbet!”

Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour, Menai Bridge opened for business on 13 April.

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