Borrow A Boat bar takeover at Southampton Boat Show

Published by

Sam Pither

Yacht charter marketplace Borrow A Boat are plotting their return to the Southampton International Boat Show following their busiest year so far.

To celebrate a summer which has seen more than 4,500 people taking to the water the Quarterdeck bar will be renamed the ‘Borrow A Boat Quarterdeck Bar & Restaurant’ for the event.

Helm, a specialist charter brokerage acquired by Borrow A Boat in 2021, will be running a champagne and oyster bar alongside the firm’s main exhibition tent.

To top it off, the company is running a competition offering attendees the chance to win a yacht charter to Croatia on a Sun Odyssey 490 in May of 2023.

Matt Ovenden, CEO and founder of Borrow A Boat, said: “The Southampton International Boat Show is always a highlight of the British boating calendar, and we are proud to be returning with a takeover of the waterfront Quarterdeck Bar.

“It has been an incredible year for Borrow A Boat, with over 4,500 people taking to the water this summer alone as well as the successful completion of our recent crowdfunding round. Not to mention expansion into several new countries including the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and more recently France, as well as the acquisition of three competitors - Helm, Barqo and Beds on Board.

“As the pioneer of peer-to-peer boat charter we’re excited to continue our global expansion with even more country launches and exciting acquisitions, as well as planning our world first IPO – all with the aim of bringing choice to everyone, making the world of yacht charter accessible, affordable, flexible and inclusive for all.”

The Boat Show will take place in Southampton between 16-25 September. Along with Borrow A Boat and a number of other firms, this year’s event will feature a swimming event which will see participants swimming across the usually inaccessible Southampton docks.

Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset. A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise. Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.