Just as we are settled in nicely at Ventnor marina, we get slightly unsettling news. An email to all moorers this week informs us that Castle Marinas has gone into partnership with Aquavista marinas.
Looking at the Aquavista web site they describe it as though they have acquired Castle. Anyhow they say nothing will change for moorers except they will get together and explore ways to make any improvements needed.
I learn that Aquavista is the company formed after BWML was floated off from CRT. They already run 18 marinas, so adding the 11 in the Castle group will make it 29.
Possible downsides:
Aquavista seems to encourage liveaboard boaters whereas Ventnor is non residential only and consequently a lot quieter.
BWML mooring charges used to be very high in comparison to others. Will we be seeing higher costs?
Upside:
Like Castle, Aquavista have a reciprocal mooring policy meaning we can stay for a period at any of the other marinas in the group at no extra cost.
Time will tell whether this a good thing for us are not. We had similar qualms when Castle took over Cropredy, but I must say that joining Castle had good benefits for us. Not least ease of transfer which has got us to Ventnor.
2 comments:
So bigger isn't always better but can have some benefits!
Quite right Val. I wrote an email to the Castle boss with a couple of ideas including providing HVO fuel. I got an email back this morning from him, saying they will be surveying moorers for ideas in the new year. So at least they seem to want to know what their customers want.
Neil
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