Former boxer Derrick Daniel opened The Boathouse Cafe and Bar in Abbey Road, Barking, in 2016.
The venue overlooks the River Roding and is a popular drinking spot with boaters.
However, Derrick has taken the decision to close the doors for the last time on Sunday (August 31) due to monetary struggles.
“I’m gutted,” he told the Post.
The Boathouse opened in 2016 (Image: The Boathouse Cafe and Bar) “The winter time was tough – I hardly got enough business to survive, which means everything I’m earning now is paying back what I couldn’t in winter.
“The utilities were too much – for the first five years I didn’t pay any utilities and then I got a massive bill and I’ve been paying that back since – it’s been difficult.
“All I needed was a cover over the place in winter time so people could come in and keep warm.”
Derrick claims he was not asked to leave officially by his landlord but took the decision himself as “it was all getting too heavy”.
Derrick previously told this paper he once boxed for Eddie Hearn in Romford but gave it up and moved to Denmark where he got into hospitality.
Last Thursday (August 21) some of the boaters performed a song they wrote for him as a means of saying goodbye.
He said: “Some of the people who live on the boats here had a band playing and they made a song for me – it was brilliant and I was crying.
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“It was emotional – everyone was there and they didn’t want me to go.
“I love this place, and I love the people that come here – Barking needs a place like this.”
Mark said: “I have frequented this bar with some other people so we know Derrick very well – he’s a genial host and someone who is really integral to the business.
“The Boathouse is a nice place overlooking the River Roding – Derrick treats you like a host in his home – it’s a great space to chill out.
“We just wanted to show that there is support for Derrick in the community, from councillors and in the press.”
A tangible, written petition was also created and handed to Derrick as a sign of support.
“We understand the pressures facing small businesses and we continue to offer a range of local support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“This includes food grants to help improve food businesses’ financial sustainability, in partnership with the Barking Enterprise Centre.
“We also provide access to wider funding opportunities, tailored business advice, and support to access business rates relief schemes.
“We continue to actively explore additional ways to support our local SMEs.”
Despite being “gutted” over the end of his time at The Boathouse, Derrick says he would like to open another venue in the future.
“I’ll try to get myself back to normal and then try to start up another place somewhere else but I love all the people who have come down here over the years and I never realised how much they loved me,” he said.
“I’ve still got to carry on through until its time to go.
“The only thing I can really do at the moment is finish off, leave on the 31st.”
