Marina Operation: Whitehaven Marina, Whitehaven, Cumbria, UK
- Client:
- Whitehaven Marina Ltd & Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners
- Services required:
- Feasibility Studies and Market Research,
- Business Planning,
- Marina Management,
- Project Management
Project Description
Whitehaven Marina is the most comprehensive marina on the north west coast of England, with 285 fully serviced berths and access via a Sea Lock at almost all states of tide.
Whitehaven Harbour, famous as the maritime "Gateway to the Lake District", has been used as a major port since the late1600s, when ships arrived from around the world carrying tobacco, sugar and rum and departed loaded up with salt and coal.
After considerable recent investment, the Harbour has been transformed into a busy multiple use marina which accommodates commercial, fishing and leisure boats.
Role of Marina Projects
Until 2008 the Harbour of Whitehaven was managed by the Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, but they recognised the need to focus on their core strategic activities linked to the future development and exploitation of the surrounding waterfront land and property assets. This resulted in the decision to seek out an experienced partner organisation to assume control and day-to-day operational management of the marina and with the proven capability and expertise to further develope the scale, quality and marketing of the marina.
During 2008 Marina Projects Ltd worked in partnership with the Harbour Commissioners to produce a lease structure that clearly defined the roles and responsibilities of both parties and provided a structure that reduced the Commissioners' operational duties and maintenance obligations.
In April 2009 Marina Projects Ltd, through its subsidiary company, Whitehaven Marina Ltd took over the day-to-day management of Whitehaven Marina, including a new £1.4 million boatyard facility. Marina Projects dealt with the transfer of all marina staff into the new operating company.
Since taking control, Marina Projects Ltd has also re-structured the marina management team, put in place a comprehensive maintenance programme for the Sea Lock and other vital infrastructure, improved customer communication, undertaken staff training and embarked on a marketing programme to raise the profile of the marina and wider harbour area.
The result has seen a steady increase in marina occupancy and trading performance meeting and exceeding the budgeted targets.
For further information on Whitehaven Marina please click here