River Thames sunken boat business owner left devastated

The owner of a party boat business has been left devastated after the floating bar and restaurant sank in the River Thames during Storm Henk.

Jorge Gallardo, Bar & Co owner, said: “It wasn’t only my business, it’s my life.”

The 110-year-old boat, which was moored at Temple Pier, sunk on 4 January when heavy rain hit the country.

The father-of-one said he was told the boat was sinking and arrived within 20 minutes, but it was “too late”.

“The boat was already on the side, so it was getting water in,” he said.

“Your life goes in the blink of a moment really, it just goes so fast.

“The business is gone. All our energies had gone into that boat.”

The business had been operating for more than 15 years, and hosted party nights, weddings and birthday parties.

Mr Gallardo added that the business had gone through “a really difficult couple of years” due to the pandemic.

The party venue was also the home of the London supporters club of FC Barcelona.

After it sank the group launched a fundraiser, which raised more than £5,000 to support the staff who worked on the boat.

Eduard Manas, president of the supporters club, said: “We’ve been coming here for the last 15 years, so we have a very long history of happy memories here.

“A lot of friendships have been made here. To see Bar & Co and the bottom of the river is very sad.”

Mr Gallardo, who is from Barcelona, said the support has been “amazing”.

“People have been fantastic. It has been overwhelming really the messages of support,” he said.

“For [the supporters club], its as devastating as it is for me. I’ve lost my business and they’ve lost their home as well.”

The sunken boat is still in the water and The Port of London Authority advised vessels to pass Temple Pier with “great caution” while the sunken boat remains there.

Mr Gallardo confirmed that it is due to be dragged out of the water imminently.