Decline of privately owned Marinas in the South... Sparkes Marina

[Will_M]

So there was I sat at the bar last night, all the normal banter going on as one does on a Sunday evening at the sailing club.

When the conversation of Sparkes Marina came up, have had a search on the forum to see if already discussed elsewhere, but anyone actually know whos brought Sparkes?

The reason it came up in conversation is that, anyone local in Chi Harbour will know who I mention here, is that apparently it looks as though Hayling Rescue’s berth in Sparkes may not be guaranteed since the buy-out?

Hopefully this is only speculation and not based on fact.

 

[rickp]

The rumour mill says MDL. Whoever buys it will no doubt be in for lots of bad PR if they kick Frank out so I suspect its speculation and the usual flappage about any change automatically being bad news.

Rick

 

[Will_M]

Well you would hope its only the usual rumour rubbish, but must say the 'rumour' was thought to be the unfortunate truth by some of the RNLI & Coastguard guys…

And yes, everyone is saying MDL, but anyone know for sure?

 

[Whitelighter]

Having spoken to tim at the weekend, and others, it is almost certain it is MDL.

 

[RogerRat]

"I am permanently stood, ready to be corrected!"

So you pretty sure then? /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Whitelighter]

cheeky

 

[wynnstow]

Sparkes Marina has been bought by MDL. Sale takes place on 8th September.

 

[[2068]]

My retired accountant neighbour who makes it his business to know everything, has a 100% hit rate so far, and said MDL.

Everybody could be wrong, but several sources all saying the same thing does point in a particular direction.

dv.

 

[ColinHuggins]

Re: Sparkes Marina

I wonder if that will effect the price of new Bav's. Or will Opal move elsewhere? Any thoughts?

 

[[2068]]

Re: Sparkes Marina

In some ways it would make sense to move Opal to Northney (no more huge lorries going through some very narrow residential roads), but there are a set of associated businesses (Raymarine engineer, fibreglass repairs, riggers etc.) that would have to move too, and their loss would be a loss to Sparkes berthholders.

dv.

 

[ColinHuggins]

Re: Sparkes Marina

[ QUOTE ]
"no more huge lorries going through some very narrow residential roads"

[/ QUOTE ]

Goodie goodie, now I'll only have to plaster the cracks every 5-10 years or so! But where else can I use "You have to back up and take the next on the left" in impeccable German?

 

[[2068]]

Re: Sparkes Marina

I did try to explain to one lorry driver:

"See that pile of building materials on that corner? You have just carried several of those gravel and cement bags underneath your lorry and spread them up the road in front of my house."

His opinion in broken English was that it was a silly place to stockpile building materials, given that his lorry was so large that it needed to cut the corner to get round.

I cleared what I could to avoid further accidents, but full marks to Havant Borough Council, who actually sent a truck around to clear up the cement/gravel mix from the road before it set.

dv.