St Katherines Dock, London - BEWARE!!!

[Sturaven]

OK, I think I have calmed down enough to right this post....

I guess we have all heard about how Boaties were treated by St Katherines Dock during the Olympics?

I had heard the stories but not thought any more of it. In March of this year we booked in with St Katherines to have our boat in their marina over the 2013-14 winter. No problem, we received an email confirming this, and we dropped off the paperwork to their office while visiting London. April came along and they had changed around their pricing/increased the pricing that meant it was going to cost us quite a bit more, but we accepted this.

Since April they have not returned any of our emails......Until I received an email from their head honcho on Monday basically saying they are canceling the booking because they are full, and again not replying to our subsequent emails. This is less than 1 month before we were to arrive, and with no apologizes, nothing. At such short notice there are not alternatives in London.

Several people had recommended that we should go to Limehouse as they are really nice over there compared to St Katherines. Now I totally believe what is being said.

For a unique destination, St Katherines has it. But I just wanted to put it out there that if you are intending to visit London, maybe one of the other marinas would be more deserving of your custom.

I wouldn't normally make such a post as this, but we don't want others caught out like we have been.


Stu.

 

[Lucky Duck]

I applied for a berth for the week following the August Bank Holiday back in Early June this year and have only just received confirmation that they are full and suggesting I try Limehouse of South Dock marinas instead.

A friend applied for a berth at the same time and despite being chased dilligently - I am not aware of them getting back to him yet.

We had a very enjoyable stay in Limehouse at the begining of July but it doesn't quite have the same glorious location as StKats.

 

[jamie N]

Surely, they have a responsibility to reimburse you an amount for your added trouble? They confirmed your contract with them.
If you look through the contract, don't they quote you a cancellation fee?

 

[Sturaven]

Hi Jamie N,

No cancellation fee, they only promise to reimburse if you have already paid and then they cancel on you (which luckily we haven't). I just wonder how they can make a successful business when they treat their customers in such manor. I cannot even get them to confirm they have cancelled, let alone trying to get compensation.

Time to let go and move on I think.

 

[jamie N]

It's good to have a forum to 'vent the spleen' on though! I enjoy negative marketing when it's backed up by fact, such as this very poor behaviour.

 

[TimBennet]

I just wonder how they can make a successful business when they treat their customers in such manor.

I think being a very small marina ideally situated in the centre of one of the most vibrant cities in the world where there will always be more demand than they can ever meet, might have something to do with it.

 

[PabloPicasso]

Yes maybe buy some shares in their parent company

 

[pvb]

It's a great location, but the marina has always been run in an amateurish, haphazard manner. The one time we went, the bizarre lock-in spectacle was a wonder to behold.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

I would have committed murder...

 

[pvb]

I would have committed murder...

A bit extreme, perhaps?

 

[macd]

they treat their customers in such manor.

Well, it's their manor so they treat customers as they please.

(Sorry, Sturaven: colloquial London joke. Hope you enjoy your time in Limehouse.)

 

[GHA]

I think being a very small marina ideally situated in the centre of one of the most vibrant cities in the world where there will always be more demand than they can ever meet, might have something to do with it.

Or might not. It's not a small marina, 3 basins. Before they were bought out it was different, I was in there for a while, they would always make the effort to squeeze boats in somewhere on the busy weekends. Long term usually a handful of free berths.

 

[Ceejay]

I stayed at the Guoman Hotel, overlooking the marina, for three nights at the beginning this month. The marina looked to have plenty of free space then, which surprised me.
CJ

 

[Suttle]

I think the Clipper round the world fleet is due to take up residence this weekend until the start on 1st September, not sure how much space they will take up.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

A bit extreme, perhaps?

Not really, it comes natural to me!!!

 

[Modulation]

Interesting thread this. They normally have quite a few empty berths over the winter.I thought they'd have more since the massive price hike in March.

I think being a very sma i ll marina ideally situated in the centre of one of the most vibrant cities in the world where there will always be more demand than they can ever meet, might have something to do with it.

 

[LionsDen]

The new owners have factored in real estate rental prices so berthing fees are now on par

 

[charles_reed]

The new owners have factored in real estate rental prices so berthing fees are now on par

So, if prices are on a par with London property rents, they'll have some free berths? Doubt if most will be able to afford to berth there though.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

The new owners have factored in real estate rental prices so berthing fees are now on par

I made enquiries when I was at that end of the city the other day and I came to the same conclusion. They have a captive monopoly market and the rates are likely to go even higher.

 

[GHA]

I made enquiries when I was at that end of the city the other day and I came to the same conclusion. They have a captive monopoly market and the rates are likely to go even higher.

Might back fire a bit, when the prices were hiked for the Olympics there was a bit of an exodus.