Nauticalia moves back to boats

Marine gifts and equipment chain Nauticalia is to open stores on boats as it looks at alternative expansion routes.

The group will open a franchised shop on a 60ft steel trawler, Ella, in Hartlepool later this year. The floating store marks a full circle for the retailer, whose first outlet was on a boat moored in Windsor.

Managing director Chris Murdoch said: 'There is something attractive about being right on the water and it will create the right atmosphere for our merchandise.'

Murdoch will assess the potential for floating shops in locations such as Henley.

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