Is Woodbridge Tidmill under new Management ?

[Bigplumbs]

Since I have been boating in this area I have always been impressed with the people/staff at Tidemill Marina. I have stayed there a few times and on occasion in a very small boat they have been happy for me to tie up for 10 - 15 minutes to nip into the town etc free of charge. Went there the other day and got a very different feeling/reception. Asked to tie up for 10 mins and was told that they charge £10 for this and I would be better to tie up on the Town Quay. So off I went to the Town Quay and it was just mud and inaccessible. Now you would have thought the marina guy on the other end of the radio would have known this. It is of course their prerogative to charge as they wish. I thought this was rather poor marketing from them as I have actually been thinking of perhaps using their services in the future. With that attitude to be honest I will go elsewhere.

Has their been changes in the ownership or Management I wonder.

 

[Boathook]

It might be that some have abused the free short stay and left the dinghy / boat all day and then complain when asked to pay quoting 'we were told it was free'.

 

[Greg2]

Tidemill Marina isn’t under new management - same owner for many years.

It is, of course, a private marina operated as a business so, to be fair, picking up a mooring free of charge was a bit of a bonus. I suspect that Boathook may be right because in reality popping into town is likely to be more than 10 - 15 mins.

The Town Quay is mud at low tide but is accessible as the tide rises - perhaps the guy at the marina was just trying to be helpful when it became clear that the preference was not to pay anything to make use of their facilities?

 

[Bigplumbs]

Tidemill Marina isn’t under new management - same owner for many years.

It is, of course, a private marina operated as a business so, to be fair, picking up a mooring free of charge was a bit of a bonus. I suspect that Boathook may be right because in reality popping into town is likely to be more than 10 - 15 mins.

The Town Quay is mud at low tide but is accessible as the tide rises - perhaps the guy at the marina was just trying to be helpful when it became clear that the preference was not to pay anything to make use of their facilities?

Good point but it had never been like that and as it happens I would only have been a very short while and her indoors was staying with the boat. Either way I was not impressed and I wont be spending any money there any time soon. I have been involved with many businesses and I know that being helpful can be of benefit to the business in the future. Anyway I was surprised at the change

 

[penfold]

If you've been mooring for free you didn't spend any money there before either.

 

[Bigplumbs]

If you've been mooring for free you didn't spend any money there before either.

Well yes I did actually. And tying up a small boat for minutes is hardly mooring for free but never mind.

Perhaps you think mooring is the only way you can spend money either then or in the future at a Marina......Perhaps you could explain

 

[snowbird30ds]

And tying up a small boat for minutes is hardly mooring for free but never mind.

Tying up a small boat is definately mooring and not having to pay is definately free.
But I get your point.

 

[rwt]

I was there a couple of weeks ago - a well run marina with helpful staff and a very nice town attached. Pleasant walks along the riverbank in both directions. Recommended.

 

[greylag]

Sounds about right for the owner. Money uber alles with a bad attitude.

 

[Greg2]

Sounds about right for the owner. Money uber alles with a bad attitude.

Your opinion perhaps, but what you describe has not been my experience. Just an alternative perspective

 

[johnalison]

The marina has the interests of its residents to consider, and if they are using the marina to provide free services to non-residents, then this is so much income being lost which will be reflected in marina fees, even if the amount itself is small.

 

[ex-Gladys]

The loos and showers being locked up at 2100 is pretty pathetic IMHO, and being left with a couple of skanky loos ...

 

[johnalison]

The loos and showers being locked up at 2100 is pretty pathetic IMHO, and being left with a couple of skanky loos ...

Another reason to fit a holding tank.

 

[Leighb]

The loos and showers being locked up at 2100 is pretty pathetic IMHO, and being left with a couple of skanky loos ...

When we were there, the "outside" loos were always perfectly clean, OK not quite as swish as those in the shower block, but perfectly adequate for emergencies. I think it is a bit off to describe them as "skanky".

 

[penfold]

If I'm paying for facilities I want to be able to use them out of hours and that includes having a shower at midnight; most marinas have just that via key code locks.

 

[ex-Gladys]

If I'm paying for facilities I want to be able to use them out of hours and that includes having a shower at midnight; most marinas have just that via key code locks.

Exactly! Not any cheaper because the facilities are only available 12 hours a day!

 

[alandalus11]

The loos and showers being locked up at 2100 is pretty pathetic IMHO, and being left with a couple of skanky loos ...

Poor show to charge what they charge and only be limited to being able to use facilities till 21:00. The two toilets aren't exactly very salubrious. There are key codes on the toilets so why can't they be left available 24 hours? Then to charge an additional £6.00 per night for electricity??? I would find it hard to use anywhere near that per night. OK I know you can fire up a generator but that's not the point, its the fact they are prepared to charge exorbitant amounts. I think a bit more attention is required for customer needs and not what the company dictates.

 

[nigelm]

I think being the only marina on the Deben & most visitors to the river will head there means they can charge what they like , we used to be those people, now I’d just not bother going up there anymore.

 

[fredrussell]

I’ve only visited once. On booking in, the chap in the office asked me if I needed electricity and before I could answer he said “no” quite emphatically! Made me laugh but, strange to say, I have a weird respect for slightly rude sales people - I find their honest approach refreshing.

 

[rwt]

Can't remember what I paid -which means it wasn't at all unusually expensive (but certainly not the cheapest). The toilets thing is certainly odd but didn't dent the enjoyment of my stay; nobody was rude. As before, recommended.