Premier - the Ryanair of marinas

[ChiPete]

Berth holders at Chichester are now required to pay £20 to pump out. Yup, that's right, 20 quid to pump your poo! I've never come across any pump out facility that charges. Even the lady in the office said ''sorry'' when she told me...

This, to be fair though, is entirely in line with Premier's ''Milk The Berth Holder Dry'' policy.

It's a shame because the on-site team are lovely and great to deal with, but the lack of decent catering facilities along with the creeping corporate greed has worn us down.

Enough! We're off. Cheerio Premier, it was a great seven years but now you blatantly see your berth holders as cash cows, I'll join the fair number of owners already voting with their keels and take my trade elsewhere.

 

[Talulah]

We left Premier 2 years ago. The current marina renewal should drop through the door anyday now.
Premier employee calls me every week to see if I have decided what to do. The thing is Premier price matching wouldn't be enough. They would have to be significantly cheaper and I know they won't be.
Because of the practices introduced over the last few years I am loath to go back unless it was made worthwhile. So what someone thought was a good idea a few years ago has cost them dear in the long run.
However, for people who are new into the boat owning none of the old ways are relevant. They will just be looking at the overall costs and won't have any axe to grind. So if Premier can attract enough of these new customers they won't worry about alienating the old. The trouble is I don't think it's working as I understand they have plenty of availability.

N.B. Premier Open Weekend this coming weekend.

 

[alteredoutlook]

At least Ryanair are relatively cheap!

 

[prv]

Is Premier the one that was bought by some kind of financial outfit (hedge fund is probably the wrong term) and expected to be squeezed until the pips squeak and then discarded?

Pete

 

[Resolution]

Is Premier the one that was bought by some kind of financial outfit (hedge fund is probably the wrong term) and expected to be squeezed until the pips squeak and then discarded?

Pete

Not really. It was bought several years ago by Blackrock, a major fund management group, to put into an open-ended property investment fund in their portfolio. IIRC All long-term stuff, no leveraging or unusual performance bonuses. But obviously it was bought with a view to making it run profitably over the long term, no charity aspects.

 

[ChiPete]

Is Premier the one that was bought by some kind of financial outfit (hedge fund is probably the wrong term) and expected to be squeezed until the pips squeak and then discarded?

Pete

From what I can gather from a spot of Googleage, Black Rock put the business up for sale last December having owned it for the best part of 10 years. Lazards have been appointed to handle the sale and there's nothing on any online resource that says any sale has gone through to date.

http://realestate.ipe.com/news/inve...nd-sells-premier-marinas/10005979.fullarticle

I hear what you're saying Talaulah about the longer term (and you're right about new owners coming to market) but I do wonder if Lazards are seeking to boost the short term balance sheet in order to entice a buyer?

 

[rotrax]

We were happy bertholders at Premier Port Solent for three years.

Great facilities, good security, nicly maintained marina.

5.5k pa- now 6K PA.

We are fortunate enough to be able to cruise all summer, so no further need for an annual berth.

October thro March in Bangor Marina NI under 1100 quid.

That will do for us........................

 

[doris]

Berth holders at Chichester are now required to pay £20 to pump out. Yup, that's right, 20 quid to pump your poo! I've never come across any pump out facility that charges. Even the lady in the office said ''sorry'' when she told me...

This, to be fair though, is entirely in line with Premier's ''Milk The Berth Holder Dry'' policy.



It's a shame because the on-site team are lovely and great to deal with, but the lack of decent catering facilities along with the creeping corporate greed has worn us down.

Enough! We're off. Cheerio Premier, it was a great seven years but now you blatantly see your berth holders as cash cows, I'll join the fair number of owners already voting with their keels and take my trade elsewhere.

See you in Haslar then. I left Premier Gosport three years ago after many good years because they
became a corporate management nightmare. Am very happy with Ben and the boys and girls in Haslar.

 

[ChiPete]

See you in Haslar then. I left Premier Gosport three years ago after many good years because they
became a corporate management nightmare. Am very happy with Ben and the boys and girls in Haslar.

Thanks for the heads up Doris, perhaps we might! We have considered Haslar but how do you get on with the A32? I'm told it's a nightmare and can add an hour to either journey especially around peak times. We're coming from Arundel so have no choice.

 

[northwind]

We're coming from Arundel so have no choice.

Northney? Sparkes?

 

[Budgieboy]

The sale of Premier is imminent so I am told by a very well placed informant ..... In fact 3 big players fighting to complete the purchase..... As a berth holder I am watching the situation and tend to agree that we are about to get our pips squeezed!! ...��

 

[doris]

Thanks for the heads up Doris, perhaps we might! We have considered Haslar but how do you get on with the A32? I'm told it's a nightmare and can add an hour to either journey especially around peak times. We're coming from Arundel so have no choice.

I'm sure that others will stridently disagree with me but I don't find Fareham to Gossie a problem. If one leaves the M27
At 4.30-5.00 in the afternoon it's tedious but still only half an hour max. Once on board it's only a few minutes out of the harbour into the Solent, perfect. Compare that to grinding up or down Pompy or Chi harbour against the tide!
A little planning goes a long way, I have kept boats in Gossie for years and am still happy.

 

[snowleopard]

Berth holders at Chichester are now required to pay £20 to pump out. Yup, that's right, 20 quid to pump your poo! I've never come across any pump out facility that charges.

It's universal on the canals. For that reason a lot of narrow boat owners use 'cassettes' that you detach and carry to the disposal point or tip down an ordinary loo.

 

[prv]

It's universal on the canals.

But virtually unknown on tidal waters, since they're fighting an uphill battle to get people to use them at all

I've never noticed anybody using a pump-out in the Solent, though I guess if you're berthed at Chichester and use the boat as a holiday cottage then it's somewhat necessary since the marina's behind a lock.

Pete

 

[nickf]

At least Ryanair are relatively cheap!

And give value for money !!!

 

[Seven Spades]

Hasn't Deen % R just been sold?

 

[arto]

See you in Haslar then. I left Premier Gosport three years ago after many good years because they
became a corporate management nightmare. Am very happy with Ben and the boys and girls in Haslar.

Same here. I left Premier at Gosport in frustration at their inability to understand what good customer service meant. Haslar is great - the staff go out of their way to be helpful and friendly. Recommended.

 

[Daedelus]

Have to say I've been in Premier Gosport for years and even I'm getting fed up with what they offer.

Incidentally A32 is ok provided you don't want to enter Gosport on a Friday afternoon rush hour - when it will take longer, a lot longer.
However, they are mollocking about with the road which goes off to one side - B3385 - and once this is finished it might offer an alternative.

 

[haydude]

I am glad to see many leaving Premiere. I am about to do the same after several years with them. I had enough of being milked. 3% price increase every year is unacceptable.

I hope that many more will follow.

 

[phatcat1]

Makes me feel appreciative of MDL!