Motorway catering, Egon Ronay, Bill Cooper & RYA

[Badger]

When the new CEO of Granada Motorway services discovered that the business was in decline because of damning reviews of the food by Egon Ronay inspectors guess who he hired to improve things... yes that's right Egon Ronay. Bill has to be the RYA's harshest critic on this site for at least 2 years now, he is so clearly desperate to run the RYA.

Mr Carr should be smart and hire Bill to run the organisation.Hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend because he has more to prove.

I vote Bill Cooper for next top man at the RYA. His new book will be called Sail up and Takeover.

 

[JeremyF]

Sod RYA, how about MDL

Would much prefer that MDL's greatest critic was hired to run MDL, rather than RYA's to sort out RYA.

The RYA is a bit like the royal family, a Good Thing, but hard to quantify exactly what it does. MDL et al affect directly the pockets of many of us. Would prefer to see that sorted.

Jeremy Flynn

www.yacht-goldeneye.co.uk
New pics 11.02.02

 

[billskip]

Re: Sod RYA, how about MDL

Barry - I don't believe it - someone taking a balanced view on MDL's contribution!
I could choose to ignore the postings but having taken over the helm at MDL last year I am determined to make MDL respected and customer facing. Not going to be easy, but that's my aim. I have so much history to contend with and all I am asking for is a fair chance. Our staff also deserve this - they are not the ones who have given MDL the patchy reputation it has.
I would also encourage people to SPEAK to me rather than bandy anonymous words over the ether.
Feel free to call me anytime on 023 8045 0209.
Regards, John Watson
from another thread on mobo forum Jeremy

Bill
www.aegeansailing.co.uk

www.macsyachting.com

 

[Guest]

Re: Sod RYA, how about MDL

If that posting from Billskip is genuine that puts the pigeon among the cats.

What the sexual intercourse are you all going to complain of now?

This is what I like to see: someone who will face the customer and argue his case.

Why cannot Mr Carr of the RYA do likewise? I can guess. he is a committee man and can only talk in clichés.

William Cooper

 

[JeremyF]

Re: Sod RYA, how about MDL

Went looking for this, and couldnt find it Bill. Whats the posting name?

What I would like to understand is the comparative cost base of a UK marina vs. a French marina. I appreciate that French councils subsidise them, but once we understand the differences in cost base, are they really working to the same margin or RACI.

Perhaps the new MDL MD would comment on his business' books, and help us understand why their essentially good product is so damn expensive

Jeremy Flynn

www.yacht-goldeneye.co.uk
New pics 11.02.02

 

[billskip]

Genuine posting re MDL

Bill cooper with respect it seems to me that you do not read or take any notice of anything other than what you write..and wish to create your own center of attention.IMHO..my responce in this maner is due to you saying "if that posting from Billskip is genuine" yes its genuine as far as the post goes as i transfered it direct from the original thread.SEE MOTOR BOAT FORUM THREAD MOTOR BOAT CHAT SHOW FLAG, BURGEES POSTED BY HLB..my apologies for shouting but maybe you are hard of hearing.Personaly im very grateful for the advice you give ..but not the way you give it..(so i had a bad night)

Bill
www.aegeansailing.co.uk

www.macsyachting.com

 

[david_e]

Re: Sod RYA, how about MDL

....is this another vote for a marina/moorings and harbours forum J?

 

[Guest]

Re: Sod RYA, how about MDL

Yup, it is genuine!
John Watson
MD
MDL

 

[Guest]

Re: Sod RYA, how about MDL

It's so expensive because the marinas are full, or nearly so, of people who are prepared to pay the charges.

mdl's management have an obligation to their shareholders to maximise the long term return on their investment. as far as i can see, they are doing quite a good job of this, though they could probably do more to reduce waste and make service slicker. if they did so, they may well be able to raise their charges a bit more to improve profitability.

 

[Guest]

A hard one to write ...

... as a vociferous complainer of UK marina fees, but I do like the attitude from MDL these days even if the prices make me drive 130 miles to visit my boat.

Did you read the threads: "Next time it could be your boat"? I put on many forums and over SEVENTY people emailed the head office of Crest Nicholson to complain about the their treatment of one of their berth holders. Several who wrote were / are berth holders at Penarth themselves never even received a reply.

So, hats off to your approach and just remember that Crest Nicholson are not the flavour of the month at the moment either!

As an aside, I agree that a business should make as much profit as it can - that's why they exist - I just wish that there were "simple" marinas too: limited facilites, etc. so I could actually afford to have my boat nearer than S. Wales.

Regards,

Humperdinck Jackman
Sergeant Pepper

 

[Guest]

I'll second that

x

 

[peterb]

Committee man?

Bill, if you'd ever sailed with Rod Carr you'd know that he's no committee man.