A business that has been operating on the Norfolk Broads for more than a century is up for sale, months after launching a new attraction.

The owners of Broom Boats, in Brundall, are looking to sell the 126-year-old company, along with its fleet of cruisers worth more than £3.2m.

They said the reason for the sale was that, after more than a decade of ownership, they wanted to focus on their other company, a strategic land and property development business.

READ MORE: Luxury boat business launches 'Floating B&B' experience

Founded at the end of the 19th century by the Broom family, Broom Boats has a rich heritage that has seen it involved in both world wars, when it built vessels for the Admiralty.

Norwich Evening News: Martin Broom, founder of Brooms BoatsMartin Broom, founder of Brooms Boats (Image: Brooms Boats)

It began in 1898 by building sailing cruisers and became one of the best known brands on the waterways, producing large numbers of high quality motor boats.

In started to hire out boats in 1912 and still has a fleet of 24 luxury vessels available for hire, as well as six 'day boats'.

The business also operates as a marina and boat yard, offering repair and maintenance services, although its boat building arm closed in 2018.

New owners will also takeover its most recent addition, the Yare pub, which was reopened by the business as the White Heron in 2022.

Norwich Evening News: Dan Mitchell, front of house manager, at the White Heron, formerly the Yare, at Brundall Dan Mitchell, front of house manager, at the White Heron, formerly the Yare, at Brundall (Image: Newsquest)

The Brundall property underwent a £600,000 transformation, with a food menu introduced in April 2023, and B&B from boats moored adjacent to the pub in November last year.

Jon Patrick, head of leisure and development at Christie & Co, which is handling the sale, said: “We’ve witnessed an uptick in the demand for both inland and coastal marina and boating businesses over the last 18 months. 

“This has come from existing UK and European operators, as well as boating and marine enthusiasts and investors. 

“We’ve also seen greater activity in the sector from owners of holiday parks and associated leisure hospitality businesses which do share some similarities in terms of the underlying business model with marinas. 

“As a result, we anticipate that interest in Broom Boats will come from a diverse range of parties.”