A MARRIED couple, who have recently been running a site near a holiday town, have purchased a pleasure boat business dating back to the 1800s.

Neil and Jeanette Pearson, who already own Chainbridge Riverside Retreat off the River Esk near Whitby, North Yorkshire, will take on 17 rowing boats, 18 kayaks, boat launch and building, as part of the deal in the new year.

Ruswarp Pleasure Boats, which was established in nearby Ruswarp village in 1874, was recently listed on the market and was seen by Mr and Mrs Pearson as a “natural fit,” adding to their portfolio.

Mrs Pearson said: “When Ruswarp Pleasure Boats came on the market for sale, it seemed like a very natural fit for us.”

The married couple, who have ran the Chainbridge Riverside Retreat along with their family since 2011 and opened a café in 2012, said their latest acquisition of the boating firm just 200 metres away would help expand their offering to new and existing customers in the area.

In order to make the purchase, Mr and Mrs Pearson said they secured the finance from an SME Fund (small or medium-sized enterprise) through HSBC UK, which is used to help support small businesses successfully grow.

The SME Fund was set up by the bank to actively help UK businesses grow during uncertainty following Brexit.

David Slane, Business Banking Area Director in the North-East at HSBC UK said: “Jeanette and Neil are very experienced operators in the leisure sector and we are pleased to support the expansion of their business and the offering they provide to locals and tourists in North Yorkshire.”

“The region is home to a buoyant leisure sector and HSBC UK is dedicated to supporting ambitious businesses in the region.”