After glory in the Falklands, HMS Invincible could end its days as a floating NIGHTCLUB in China
By DAILY MAIL REPORTER
Last updated at 4:13 PM on 7th January 2011
Last updated at 4:13 PM on 7th January 2011
A Chinese restaurant chain owner has launched an audacious bid to buy the legendary Falklands warship HMS Invincible - and convert it into a nightclub.
Kin Bong Lam, chairman of the Wing Wah empire, has submitted a £5million bid to the Ministry of Defence for the iconic vessel, which helped to win the Falklands War against Argentina in 1982.
Mr Lam wants to ship the carrier China and convert it into a nightclub or even a restaurant.
The light aircraft carrier, a former flagship of the British fleet, has fallen on hard times in recent years and is currently languishing in Portsmouth's dockyard with her engines stripped out and propellers lying on deck.
Plans: Wing Wah boss Kin Bong Lan is bidding £5million to buy the warship
The ship was decommissioned in 2005 and has been put up for sale on a Government version of eBay.
At the height of its use the 17,000 ton vessel was powered by four Rolls-Royce gas turbine engines, could reach a speed of 28 knots and had a ship compliment of 1,050 sailors.
It had been used in the Falklands, Balkans and Iraq Wars before undergoing a major refit in 2004 and being decommissioned a year later.
Tender bids for the Invincible have now been submitted and potential owners are likely to learn the outcome of the bidding process within a few weeks.
Mr Lam said he wants to buy the Invincible through his South China company Sunway Yachts and ship the carrier to China for renovation.
The Birmingham-based tycoon said he is branching out into military salvage operations to save the former pride of the Royal Navy.
He said: ‘The MOD has said that it cannot be used for military purposes but I do think we can make good use of the vessel without it being scrapped.
‘I am sure that the Royal Navy will be very proud if we can create something that will be of use for people in the future the Invincible has a very distinguished history.
Cheers: Invincible being waved off in Portsmouth as it heads to the Falklands War
Last big job: HMS Invincible lsets sail to the Gulf in January 2003
‘The plan is to transport it to China and utilise it as an educational institution, a school or college. Or it could be used as a leisure facility, as a nightclub or restaurant.
‘We will know in a few weeks' time.
'Everything is sealed and they will not tell us anything yet.’
Mr Lam, whose Wing Wah empire has seven restaurants across the West Midlands, also runs import and export, yachting and property investment businesses in China.
The Wing Wah chain was voted one of the top 20 Chinese restaurants in the UK in 2008 after opening 11 years ago.
The aircraft carrier was decommissioned five years ago, 28 years after it was launched by the Queen.
Future: HMS Invincible's interior could end up like this if the MoD give the go-ahead
The Portsmouth-based HMS Invincible was put into a state of 'low level of readiness' until last year, when it was put on sale.
The advert on edisposals.com, which expired on Wednesday, says: ‘HMS Invincible is for sale by tender.
‘She is currently stable for tow, subject to buyer confirmation.’
An MOD spokesperson said: ‘We are considering a number of bids but we cannot say any more until there has been full consideration.’
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1345063/After-glory-Falklands-HMS-Invincible-end-days-floating-NIGHTCLUB.html#ixzz1ANU5ufDC
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