Shropshire Star

Whixall Marina’s famous swan features on new identity

A marina’s long-term resident ‘Sid’, a mute swan, has taken centre-stage on a new logo created for the site following a major renovation of its facilities.

Published
Designer Nick Edwards with Hazel Ruscoe and Molly Bourne of Whixall Marina

The new identity has been created by Nick Edwards Design of Newport and is now featured across Whixall Marina's facilities and marketing material.

This includes on-site signage, café branding and menus, business cards, website and social media channels.

Sid has held court at the marina for over 10 years, nurturing a new brood of cygnets each year. Visiting swans looking to usurp him from his position at the marina are met with short shrift!

The marina has recently undergone a major refurbishment programme comprising a dedicated marina office, chandlery, upgraded shower and toilet facilities, a new car park and enhanced boat repair and maintenance facilities. Most significantly, the addition of a new 50-seater café has seen the marina’s usage being extended beyond the boating community to local people.

Marketing consultant, Hazel Ruscoe, worked with Mr Edwards to devise the new identity and, as she explains, an image to depict the beauty and rural surroundings of the marina was always at the heart of their plans:

“The marina is set in a stunning rural location and we wanted to create an identity that reflected the local environment and abundant wildlife. This includes the presence of mute swans who, for many years, have been a popular feature of the marina, and notably our famous swan, Sid.

“We have introduced two strong corporate colours which work really well across both the marina’s environment and our marketing material. Nick has produced a really striking design for us which I’m sure will have real longevity. As a relatively small business, we were working with a modest budget and Nick has provided great value for money.”

Whixall Marina offers leisure and residential moorings and is situated on the Prees branch of the Llangollen Canal.