Fire99
Well-Known Member
Ok.. And out of interest. I'm not profit driven..
Premier acquires Boatfolk
- Thread starter Fire99
- Start date
volvopaul
Well-Known Member
Apart from the stone surface in the yard it was a great little place to work , one of the very few yards that welcomed you and made your work life a nice experience and they didn’t charge a fee .
They could have deployed the staff around the group I am sure but according to my client they have all been dismissed.
benjenbav
Well-Known Member
25 years ago I berthed at Chichester. It seemed to become less personal/friendly when Premier outsourced the marina functions such as the lock and security.
Sailor2000
Active Member
I am guessing premier marinas annual berth rates will be similar to Boatfolk ?
ithet
Well-Known Member
When I originally got quotes for Premier Gosport and Boatfolk Haslar last summer there was 90p difference for a 34ft yacht.
ashtead
Well-Known Member
At Haslar you can fix in the price for next year at this years rates if paid around boatshow time in prior year . I don’t know if Premier has a similar scheme though . We have never been tempted to move from Haslar so far on basis the marina crew remains untouched.
rafiki_
Well-Known Member
We did the same last Sept. Our second season at Haslar.
Wavey
Well-Known Member
I had heard that the timing of the acquisition of Boatfolk by Premier dictated that the usual Boatfolk offers would remain in place for the coming season, and it would be from 2027 that any former Boatfolk marinas would fall in line with whatever Premier usually offer.
I know of a couple of boats that have left Haslar but I think generally that Ben, his team, and their level of service will keep most people here. I do wonder though that with Premier Gosport next door whether some consolation will happen in the future. Time will tell.
fearmhuir
Well-Known Member
I am also berthed in Bangor and I think the problem is that the marina needs a substantial investment from somewhere. The marina is unchanged since it opened in 1989 and since then the average boat length has increased substantially. There is now a shortage of 12 m berths and two trots of 9 m berths are almost unused.
The marina needs to be reconfigured to maximize income, dredging is needed, and the wooden walkways and fingers are showing their age.
The marina is owned by the council, who are unwilling to put money into it. Rumour was they offered a 50 year lease to anyone who would undertake the work needed, but no takers.
The sensible way forward would be for the council to invest the money required backed by an increase in future revenues. The council should take direct control of the marina - Glenarm, Ballycastle and Carrickfergus marinas are all run directly by the council without problems. The staff and management in Bangor do a good job of running the marina, why pay money to a management company just to rubberstamp what they do?
This of course would require someone in the council to make a decision and take responsibility for something!
Fire99
Well-Known Member
Interesting points mate.. Certainly from a jolly outsider it seems the infrastructure was put in in '89 and basically that was that. Having no shorebased facilities, no boat trailer parking etc, and the yard etc being separately run / managed, limits the marina terribly and as you say the layout tailors toward boats that don't frequent the marina.
I get the feeling the can was kicked and kicked down the road but it's looking more like a flapjack than a can now.
ylop
Well-Known Member
Having gone to some local council meetings to understand problems with other non-boating expenditure, there's a fear that they are seen to be spending money on "middle class luxuries". Regardless of whether that is a fair characterisation, or if there is an economic development argument that is the problem you are facing trying to get a council to spend discretionary money on anything from tennis courts, school musical instruments, slipways, christmas lights etc. There's not even usually someone there specifically saying its bad - everyone mostly agrees these would be nice things to do, but they are terrified of press and particularly social media twisting of wasting money. Weirdly, because of that, it's often easier to get £1M for a high-profile new initiative with bold long-term immeasurable claims about rejuvenating an area, etc., than £10K for something actually tangible!
wonkywinch
Well-Known Member
Hamble Parish Council just hiked their portion of my council tax by over 25% this year. All other stakeholders below 6%.
Wonder why?
Wonder why?
Hunterlees
Well-Known Member
Sticky Fingers
Well-Known Member
Can’t see how the last point in that makes any sense; what impediment to an orderly transition of service is presented by ‘data regulation’?
ylop
Well-Known Member
What they are saying is “Boatfolk” control the data (your name, boat name, contact details etc), and for privacy reasons they don’t think* they can just hand that data over to the council. They are asking you to give them permission so that the council can continue to service your needs. It’s a reasonable request. I’m not sure it’s bad news for customers.
*probably they could legitimately do this but it requires a bit of thought and actual understanding of GDPR - so it’s easier to just say “give us consent”.
