SSL in Brighton in trouble?

jimmy_the_builder

jimmy_the_builder

Well-Known Member
Joined
7 Sep 2005
Messages
8,755
Location
Sussex
Visit site
SSL are the Volvo Penta dealer in Brighton and Eastbourne. I went down there this afternoon but the doors were locked and receivers were on site.

Workshops were being cleared and inventorised this afternoon. Staff all laid off with immediate effect. Anyone know what's going on?
 
Hi I was in sovereign harbour yard at 0930 this morning a customer tried SSL door but it was locked there was a letter on the inside thought they might be stock taking your post explains a real shame from my experience LEE and the engineers I have dealt with for many years were always spot on
 
I have sympathy for the guys who have lost their jobs.
Personally my experience with them was not good. Not at all surprised it has happened.
We moved out of Brighton a few years ago because it was just getting worse and worse. I suspect Brighton has lost a lot of boats and maybe a lot of those left are smaller or older where the owners are more inclined to do any work themselves. So maybe they have been upsetting a dwindling customer base. Only my guess as not had anything to do with Brighton marina for ages.
No doubt some of the guys will slot in with Mick West.
 
David_J said:
I have sympathy for the guys who have lost their jobs.
Personally my experience with them was not good. Not at all surprised it has happened.
We moved out of Brighton a few years ago because it was just getting worse and worse. I suspect Brighton has lost a lot of boats and maybe a lot of those left are smaller or older where the owners are more inclined to do any work themselves. So maybe they have been upsetting a dwindling customer base. Only my guess as not had anything to do with Brighton marina for ages.
No doubt some of the guys will slot in with Mick West.
Click to expand...

Sounds like your experience is similar to mine.. Practically had to beg SSL for quotes and details and when it came through the cost was frankly ridiculous.. Ended up using West Marine..

We moved away from Brighton at the end of 2013..
 
I agree - sorry about the people who have lost their jobs but SSL knew how to (try and) charge. Overfilled engines with oil (25 litres in a 20 litre sump) and service times were massively shorter if I was on board than the times when I couldn't make it. It just drove me to a good independent
 
Andrew38 said:
I agree - sorry about the people who have lost their jobs but SSL knew how to (try and) charge. Overfilled engines with oil (25 litres in a 20 litre sump) and service times were massively shorter if I was on board than the times when I couldn't make it. It just drove me to a good independent
Click to expand...

Neil & Bob are going to works as independents, just awaiting there details , so should be a lot less hassle
Will update once received

Regards
 
Gemini said:
Neil & Bob are going to works as independents, just awaiting there details , so should be a lot less hassle
Will update once received
Click to expand...

Any news on this? I will need some marine engineering type aid with my rudder in September. The only one left in Brighton seems to be Mick West Marine and I have no idea if they're any good (recommendations/warnings?).

Also, where does one buy Volvo parts now? I've previously used SSL out of sheer convenience, and while the word around the marina is that there will be a Volvo dealer in Brighton again, there isn't at the moment.
 
Yngmar said:
Any news on this? I will need some marine engineering type aid with my rudder in September. The only one left in Brighton seems to be Mick West Marine and I have no idea if they're any good (recommendations/warnings?).

Also, where does one buy Volvo parts now? I've previously used SSL out of sheer convenience, and while the word around the marina is that there will be a Volvo dealer in Brighton again, there isn't at the moment.
Click to expand...

SSL definitely gone - receivers appointed, assets sold off etc.

As I understand it, Bob has gone to work for someone else locally, although I don't know who. Neil though has set up as an independent and is trading as Suire Marine and Industrial:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/SUIRE-Marine-Industrial/1646572488921077
 
Cheers Jimmy. Spoke to Mike (the rigger) today, and he's taken on Bob (stainless wizard) and Neil (marine engineer, I think?). He's also expanding his porta-cabin workshop, so my marine engineering needs should be satisfied there. Just need a source of Volvo parts now, but if need be I can order online.
 
SSL used RK marine as they were a sub dealer they had regular delivery from Southampton so I'd use them , excellent service from them in my view.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top