A historic ferry service which crosses the River Severn in Shropshire has put the boat on the market with a £50,000 price tag.
The Hampton Loade ferry, near Bridgnorth, has not been running since the floods of 2007. Darren Page, who has owned it for 12 years, has announced he is selling the historic ferry. He said the floods “crippled” the business, especially when the Severn Valley Railway was closed.
“It will be on the market within the next week for around £50,000,” he added.
“I have been running it for 12 years, but with the railway being shut during the floods it has crippled me, that’s why I’ve got to sell it.”
“If a group of volunteers want to get together, as long as I make a profit it could be an option. But I’m not just going to let somebody take over the business, I’ve been advised not to do that.
“I’m appealing for anyone to come forward and buy it. The property is 450 years old. It’s sad to see it go, it’s been my life for the past 12 years, I’ve kept it running.
“I will re-train and do something else now. I’m going to sell it to the highest bidder,” he said.
MP Philip Dunne has called a public meeting to discuss the future of the ferry tomorrow at 6pm at Westgate council offices in Bridgnorth. Mr Dunne said the purpose of the meeting was to see whether there was enough enthusiasm to get a group of volunteers together to run the ferry.
Mr Page said he would not be attending the meeting due to his health.
Mr Dunne said: “The meeting is for the local parishes on each side of the river. The purpose of the meeting is to see whether there’s enough enthusiasm from the local community to try and find a group of volunteers to help re-launch the ferry.
“It links the National Trust at Dudmaston Hall, the Severn Valley Country Park and the Severn Valley Railway, so it is important.”
By Rachael Lowe
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2 Comments
I know this ferry well but I don’t understand what he is selling. He is not selling the “business” because he has been advised not to sell that – so just exactly, what is he selling, the wooden ferry itself or what because if that is all he is selling, he has some hope. I wouldn’t give a fig for the pontoon let alone £50,000 and how can it operate if he is not selling the “business”. Very strange but when one considers that apart from the more frequent flooding that occurs, this could be a lucrative little earner in the summer. But £50,000 ?
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Not only was it out of action while it was being restored, but I seem to recall it was also out of action because the owner was ill for a period. This was after considerable public effort and support was made to get this ferry back up and running again. Now, we hear that its apparently the enforced shutdown of the SVR which has done for it.
It’s no one’s business if he is fed up of the whole thing and wants to get rid of it – I doubt its the goldmine some people think it is, and I should think its very hard to sustain a decent living when you must live off the proceeds that are made in the summer season!
So if he’s had enough, I say good luck to him. But let’s not blame everything on the lack of operation of the railway eh? If you don’t want to do something any more then no one should criticise you for it. And maybe there is someone out there who can make a better go if it – who knows?
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