Narrowboat in Chester is a floating jewellery workshop

A floating jewellery maker arrives in Chester this week.

Rich MacKenzie runs by Bike & Boat and travels the waterways making and selling his upcycled copper creations along the way.

The 41-year-old will be setting up his workshop from his 60ft narrowboat moored on the canal in Chester this week. 

He said: "We’ve already had a great welcome in Cheshire - and I am looking forwards to set up my workshop to make some pieces, and hopefully sell a few whilst we’re here.

"Chester was a place that we wanted to stop off as we cruise from Oxford to Llangollen and then further north before returning to Oxford for Winter."

Mr MacKenzie, who lives on the boat with his wife Jackie, 10-year-old son Bobby, 4-year-old daughter Fleur as well as their cat and 9-month-old rescue puppy, said trade has been hit this year already due to lockdown.

He added: "I make each item of copper jewellery to order so that it’s just right and fits the customer perfectly. This also is great as living on a boat we don’t have a great deal of room to keep a stock of made up pieces. I usually use copper gifted to me from local plumbers we find on our travels to make my pieces."

Mr MacKenzie's love of creating started when he lost his father in 2020.

He said: "When dad passed away it just hit me like a ton of bricks just how short life was. Having a trade that I can do from the stern deck of the boat means that we can travel the UK’s canals and rivers to our heart’s content"

by Bike & Boat will be open on the canal in Chester between Monday to Friday from 10 am this week along the canal towpath in the town between Northgate Street and Frodsham Street.  After this, they will be heading for Ellesmere Port. 

Mr MacKenzie added: "We’ve just come from Llangollen and are so happy to have finally arrived in Cheshire - the views on our cruise in were stunning and breathtaking."

Locals can keep an eye on by Bike & Boats UK's movements on their website:

bybikeandboat.co.uk

r on their social media Facebook/Twitter/Instagram:

@BikeandBoatUK