Sunday 25 September 2011

BWML buys another marina

It seems British Waterways Marinas Ltd has bought Cowroast Marina on the Grabd Union - and sent a flutter through the commercial canal sector and boaters who want all cash spent on upkeep.
Although BWML fails to show much profit to BW thats mosly because it follows the BW template of high pay for bosses and letting inexperienced junior staff run the marinas.
What profits it does make have come in the past from high charges for 'Class 1' berths for liveaboards - and I have been one of them. At present it is getting formal planning permission for those berths and hiking prices by 50% as a result - apparently with the endorsement of the Residential Boat Owners Association, which I find odd.
If the NWC is to be self-funded there is an argument for it maximising BWML income but it should allow other marinas to compete on the same basis with comparable lease charges and no conditions imposed that are not also part of BWMLs contracts with BW/NWC