A former Mersey ferry docked on the Liverpool waterfront is to open as restaurant, bar and events space Daffodil next week following a £3.5m makeover.

Formerly MV Royal Daffodil, the ferry plied the route from Liverpool to the Wirral for more than 60 years and is now moored in Canning Dock, close to the Royal Albert Dock. Following a five-year renovation, Daffodil can now accommodate 126 guests in the Main Deck dining room, with more in the Promenade bar on the upper deck. Below decks, the Engine Room will open next year as a flexible space for events and live entertainment.

Co-director Philip Borg-Olivier, a former Brookside actor, says: “Daffodil is not just another venue; it’s an iconic piece of Merseyside’s history reborn for a modern audience. From the food and drinks to the events and atmosphere, we’re offering something truly unique on the waterfront.”

His co-director Josh Boyd added: “We’ve poured our hearts into restoring this iconic vessel and can’t wait to introduce it to the people of Liverpool and visitors from around the world.”

The Main Deck dining room is served by an open galley kitchen under chef Darren James-Campbell, with meals from brunch and lunch to afternoon tea and dinner. The cuisine is modern British, and highlights from the opening festive season menu include a 12-hour slow-cooked marrow lamb pie in shortcrust pastry with herb mash and heritage carrots in a cherry reduction.

In the Promenade bar, mixologist Brendan Ierston-Stapleton has created a list of signature cocktails including the Nell Flanagan, a fruity spritz named in honour of the licensee of the nearby Custom House Hotel during the 1960s. Known as ‘the Duchess of Canning Place’, Nell was famous for extending credit to young sailors – and for her refusal to serve anybody she did not like.