Teen beauty spot drinkers are ramblers, not rebels
- Dave Burrows
Boathouse pub chief’s hopes over Shrewsbury river crossing
Monday 9th January 2012, 10:59AM GMT.
Talks will get under way next week to discuss the launch of a ferry crossing set to transport drinkers across the River Severn to a Shrewsbury pub when a historic footbridge closes for maintenance in March.
The owners of the Boathouse pub have revealed they are to meet with council officials on Thursday to discuss plans to launch a ferry service for drinkers when Porthill footbridge closes in March.
Shropshire Council is spending an estimated £450,000 on a major refurbishment of Porthill bridge, which will be closed between March and the end of July.
But Chris Ballantyne, landlord of The Boathouse which sits at one end of the bridge, said the work could have a devastating impact on the business.
He claimed the pub could lose thousands of pounds through loss of passing trade.
Tim Bennett, one of the partners that has owned the Boathouse for the past 10 years, said the pub had been working with Sabrina Boats on plans for a ferry service.
He said: “We have been in discussion with Sabrina Boats. We have got the potential to be able to do it and what we have to do now is sort out the final details and the practicalities.”
He said the idea would be to have a boat shuttling people across the river from a pontoon on the Quarry side of the river to one at the bottom of the Boathouse’s garden.
Mr Bennett said the boat would be available to members of the public.
He said: “We need to now look at the costs and get permission for it. That is what the meeting is about on Thursday. The council seem keen to help us.”
The bridge will close to allow for essential maintenance work, such as carrying out repairs to structural steelwork, grit blasting and repainting the whole bridge and replacing the timber deck.
By Catherine Ferris
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closed till July – busiest period?summer? – excellent foresight there
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Dear Messrs Ballantyne & Bennett
For what it’s worth, we consider your fears of lost trade unfounded.
The standard of your delicious ale is legendary, and I am in no doubt that Boat House regulars and visitors to the town alike will view the use of an alternative river crossing as only a nominal inconvenience.
Doubly so once tucked into a pint of Darwin!
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Absolute tosh with regards loss of business , it seems any chance to get some extra dosh many small businesses jump on the compo wagon .
I have an idea do not compensate until after work is done and books have been viewed if after the bridge closure and the business has been run as it normally has and they have lost money compensate if not don’t.
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Just wondering, where in the landlords and buisness partners statement did they say they wanted compensating? He merely stated that he was concerned that it could damage his trade and that he was looking in to permision and costs of a ferry service!No where did he say that he wanted the council/taxpayer to front the costs of it!
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