Club goes bust

I find this amazing that a club can go bust. Who is the landlord? A private individual? Around here the clubs are in the end owned by the local council. There is no rent involved. although the swan River authority (state government impose rent on the water space.) I am continually reminded of how lucky we are as a colony of UK when right from the outset (Swan River colony 1829) a surveyor was sent to set up proper land ownership laws and titles thus never any argument about ownership and rights of way etc. compared to mother land suffering under ancient rights ownership etc. olewill
 
Stork_III said:
Not surprised with annual rent at £160,000. Landlords are robbers.
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But the club apparently agreed that rent way back in 2008. It looks like it was run primarily as a commercial training centre, so maybe that's why they agreed the fairly large rent.
 
Bewl bridge must surely belong to Southern Water or whichever private company trousered this particular piece of public property when we sold off the family silver in the 1980s.
. :)
 
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Surely it must be better to have a financial return, then nothing at all, What facilities do the club provide, ie pontoon, moorings, maybe two workers and a club house? Surly the general public enjoy watching the sailing boats, I do not know what other facilities, are available apart from walking.
 
William_H said:
I find this amazing that a club can go bust. Who is the landlord? A private individual? Around here the clubs are in the end owned by the local council.
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Very different here with a whole range of ownership structures. Our club owns the freehold to the land side and a 999 year lease to the marina. Many clubs hold the freehold of their clubhouse but rent waterspace from the Crown. Others are on council owned land. Waterfront space is invariably in short supply so difficult for clubs to compete with other users, although redevelopment of brownfield sites usually include provision for leisure amenities. The word "club" does not necessarily imply members ownership, only perhaps common interest and many clubs are in fact commercial enterprises.
 
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I used to sail at Chew Valley, where the club AFAIK paid rent to the water company.
In those days it was clear that the water company could make far more money out of trout fishing than sailing.

I've heard it said that there are too many dinghy clubs, chasing declining participation. Unlike our 'locals' clubs on the coast, I expect the majority of Bewl members drove a fair way to sail and will have reasonable alternatives. Still very sad for those who have put effort into it and made it their 'home' club.
I have only sailed there once, a class training and racing event, it was a nice inland club, a pleasant place to sail.
 
Suttle said:
Not a footballer, David Sullivan, a businessman and co owner of West Ham.
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Welshman David Sullivan is a bit more colourful than just "a businessman". He made his money in porn - movies, magazines and sex shops - and even today still owns the Private Shops chain.
 
I live fairly close to Bewl Water and this sad tale is no surprise to me. Southern Water leased the site to Sullivan's company which clearly seeks to make as much money as possible. The last time I went there was over 10 years ago, when they charged £4 just to park a car. Bewl Water could be a wonderful local amenity but with most of the access controlled by the lessee, it is not.
 
Norman_E said:
I live fairly close to Bewl Water and this sad tale is no surprise to me. Southern Water leased the site to Sullivan's company which clearly seeks to make as much money as possible. The last time I went there was over 10 years ago, when they charged £4 just to park a car. Bewl Water could be a wonderful local amenity but with most of the access controlled by the lessee, it is not.
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+1. Also not far from there. Used to be a nice family day out walking round, it must be about 10 years since we last went. Go to Bedgebury now.
 
lw395 said:
I expect the majority of Bewl members drove a fair way to sail and will have reasonable alternatives. Still very sad for those who have put effort into it and made it their 'home' club.
I have only sailed there once, a class training and racing event, it was a nice inland club, a pleasant place to sail.
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As far as I know there aren't that many alternatives in the area - and none that have the same sailing area.

Given the attitude of the landlord you have to suspect he thinks he can get more money from someone else so perhaps he already has plans and is deliberately forcing the club to close its doors
 
Norman_E said:
Southern Water leased the site to Sullivan's company which clearly seeks to make as much money as possible.
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Kent Attractions LLP, in which the Sullivan Trust has an interest, bought the 99-year lease in 2007. No idea what they paid, but they struggled to make money out of it, and put it up for sale in 2012 with 94 years remaining. At that time, the asking price was £5.5million, but I guess there were no takers.
 
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