First look: Walton Perk’s new £50k, 60ft narrowboat cafe

The new and improved Walton Perk, Sale’s only narrowboat cafe, opened today in its usual spot on the Bridgewater Canal.

Here’s your chance to take a first look at the new vessel in situ, moored next to Walton Park.

The new 60-foot narrowboat is longer and more spacious inside compared with the previous boat. Costing £50,000, husband and wife owners Rob and Clare Heale, who live in Sale and run other businesses in the area, have spent the past few weeks getting the new boat ready for business. 

But why the change? 

“We needed more space!”, said Rob when we spoke to the pair on the opening day of the new narrowboat. 

“The previous boat was 45 feet and although that seems big, over time we outgrew it. This new boat is purpose-built with two hatches that can be opened for big event days in Walton Park – it will mean we can cater for more customers at the same time and will limit queues.”

The original Walton Perk was a concept boat opened by the duo in August 2020 to see if there was an appetite for it. And there certainly was, with customers returning time and time again. 

“Since we opened up in 2020, we’ve helped to drive more footfall to the area, because people know now that they can pick up a drink and a piece of cake while taking a walk along the canal, or while visiting the park. Previously, there was nothing in the area of the park to cater for those looking for refreshments,” said Clare.

“With all the changes happening in Sale town centre, we are getting more people walking along the canal from neighbouring towns such as Altrincham and Timperley. Although we have our regulars, many of whom are locals, we are seeing a lot of people coming from outside of Sale too now.”

The narrowboat, which runs off a petrol generator, is a huge investment for Rob and Clare, especially given the rising costs every business is experiencing at the moment. However, the money-conscious pair are committed to providing customers with good quality food and drink at good prices. Which is why they have decided to fix their prices for the rest of this year. 

Rob said: “Our customers have been really good to us since we opened, so we are committed to freezing prices for this year. We know people, including families with children, will be struggling to balance their spending in the coming months, so if we can help by offering reasonable prices, we hope that they will still be able to enjoy a treat now and again.” 

So what’s next for Walton Perk? 

“We’ve been approved for an alcohol licence, so very soon customers will be able to enjoy a drink beside the canal. We are in talks with Peter Parkinson, director of the Bridgewater Canal, who has been really helpful in making our plans a reality, about allocating some space for a few tables and some seating close to the boat, to allow customers to relax with a drink and a bite to eat.”

“Then we will look at increasing the hot food options on the menu, so people can hand around for a leisurely bite to eat.”

Walton Perk’s previous boat will soon be retired at Sale Cruising Club, so next time you’re taking a walk down the canal, keep an eye out for it in its new home! 

Walton Perk, open Tuesday-Friday 8.30am-3pm and Saturday and Sunday 9am-4pm.