A historic vessel that helped rescue more than 1,200 Allied troops from Dunkirk during the Second World War has been put up for sale in Scarborough for £250,000.
A historic Dunkirk 'little ship' is going on sale for £250,000 in Scarborough.
The Regal Lady, which helped rescue more than 1,200 Allied troops during the Second World War, is being marketed as a hospitality business and visitor attraction.
Moored in Scarborough harbour since 1987, the famous vessel is known as the Dunkirk Experience and currently operates as a bar and café.
The floating venue features indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks the town’s South Bay and harbour area.
Business operations on the water generate a weekly turnover of around £5,000, bringing in net profits of more than £80,000 a year.
The ship has seating for around 60 people inside, with a further 60 seats located on the pier outside, and hosts regular events during the busy tourist season.
Originally built in steel in 1930, the Regal Lady holds a remarkable wartime legacy.
The vessel was one of approximately 850 privately owned boats that joined the Royal Navy during Operation Dynamo.
The massive evacuation effort brought 338,000 Allied soldiers to safety from the beaches of Dunkirk between the 26th of May and the 4th of June 1940.
The civilian flotilla included fishing boats, pleasure craft, lifeboats and commercial vessels that made the dangerous journey across the Channel.
The Regal Lady itself made three trips to Dunkirk, successfully securing the rescue of more than 1,200 soldiers.
The vessel is now officially registered as a National Historic Ship and is a proud member of the Association of Dunkirk Little Ships.
Extensive restoration and refurbishment took place in 2019, which included the complete renewal of its electrical and mechanical systems.
A full survey was carried out in 2020, followed by an ultrasound survey in 2024, confirming its continued seaworthiness.
Michael Peel, director at Ernest Wilson, said:
"The Regal Lady is an iconic vessel with an extraordinary story, and it’s a very unusual business opportunity.
It played a part in one of the most famous events of the Second World War, making three trips to Dunkirk to bring back more than 1,000 soldiers, saving their lives in the process. To still have an asset with that much history operating as a visitor attraction today is pretty remarkable.
Having been part of the Scarborough waterfront for nearly 40 years, it is well established as a popular place to visit, so there is a great business here as well as an important piece of maritime history.
I think there is huge potential for a new owner to build on both sides of that story – developing the bar, café and events business while making even more of the Dunkirk connection and enhancing a much-loved visitor attraction for Scarborough."
The business currently operates mainly between Easter and October.
However, marketing agents suggest there is significant scope to increase revenues through evening opening hours, private parties and organising other events.
Although the ship has been a staple in Scarborough for decades, it remains fully seaworthy and could be relocated to another destination by a new owner.
The freehold business and vessel are being marketed by Ernest Wilson, which is part of the real estate consultancy BTG Eddisons.
The firm was founded in 1956 and specialises in buying and selling hundreds of small businesses every year, ranging from cafés and restaurants to hotels, pubs and visitor attractions.
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