A BID for the last Thames sailing barge ever made to become a tearoom and arts venue has been resubmitted.

Topsail Charters wants to turn the historic barge Resourceful into a tourist attraction at Cooks Yard in Maldon.

An initial application for the scheme was withdrawn in December ahead of a planning meeting where councillors were expected to refuse the plans.

The application had received the support of Maldon Town Council as well as many Maldon residents. Now Topsail has resubmitted a bid, but for permission to last just three years.

The application said: “The Resourceful is the first stage of a longer term plan to develop our site at Cooks Yard into an enhanced visitor experience and sustainable income stream for the fleet.

"Customers will feel they are directly contributing to the future survival of our maritime heritage.

“The Resourceful will make an ideal visitor attraction, open seven days a week and all year round.

“Capacity is estimated at about 80.

The tearoom will create extra jobs, including the possibility of taking on a local catering apprentice.”

The tearoom would be “trendy and vibrant” and Topsail Charters say the boat has a small space for theatre, storytellers, poetry, spoken word, acoustic music and young artists.

Stephanie Valentine, managing director, said the company had its “fingers firmly crossed” over the bid.

She said: “We have had lots of support from our customers – there had been a lot of excitement from them.

“The idea is that the money generated can be used as a funding stream for our other barges.”