Bembridge Harbour is to be put up for sale in the very near future, it has been confirmed to Island Echo.
Rumours came to light over the weekend that the harbour was being put on the open market, sparking interest amongst curious locals.
Now, owners Malcolm and Fiona Thorpe have revealed that they have indeed made the decision to sell their businesses connected with the Harbour after 12 years at the helm.
It’s said that the couple are currently in the process of providing the final pieces of information to their nominated agents/brokers to enable them to take the Harbour to market.
In a statement, Mr Thorpe has today (Tuesday) said:
“Our reasons for the decision to sell are very straight forward.
“During this month I have my 75th birthday and think it is about time a younger generation of management became involved. We want to spend more time with both family and friends – we have missed valuable time with them as a direct consequence of our full-time involvement at the Harbour.
“Fiona and I have over the past few years spent an exceptional amount of time managing the business and rejuvenating the Harbour, and not least in dealing with the constant legal challenges from BHT, all of which have failed conclusively. In removing the extremely personal nature of BHT’s actions against us, we hope they will be able to find a more productive pathway forward.
Article continues below this advertisement “The Harbour is in fine condition and we have just commenced building work at the Duver – the new facilities/offices will be ready for occupation by Easter 2024. Bembridge Boat Storage has better than average space take-up for this winter and bar the month of July with its terrible weather, our summer visiting boat numbers have remained consistent with previous years.
“Our annual berth-holder numbers have remained high, and rally group numbers have remained equal to recent previous years.
“In the next few days, details of our overall businesses will start to be made available to genuine serious enquiries with proof of funding. This is unlikely to be a quick process and in the meantime, with bookings being taken for winter berthing/storage, scheduling for the winter maintenance programme, and looking towards 2024 bookings and event dates – it’s very much business as usual.
“In signing off, I really wish I was at least 30 years younger!”.
It is unclear at this stage what exactly will be available for purchase and what the asking price will be.
Island Echo recently reported that the Environment Agency is starting works to strengthen coastal defences at Bembridge’s Embankment Road to prevent the protected nature reserve from being flooded.
I wonder if those prolific developers who live in Bembridge will buy such, but then bears rarely poo in their own woods.
Far better to ruin all other areas rather than your own first.
Still in such a volatile village I am certain the new buyers unless very well versed in the art of odd handshakes will have as many enemies as friends before the wet signature has dried
Fill the harbour in and build blocks of flats there, tall blocks – lots and lots of them.
To solve any traffic problems from that development, rebuild the railway line to Brading.
To solve the problem of all the waste water (etc!) from the development – well, it is right next to the sea which already has lots of fish poo in it.
I know this was meant to be humorous but given the decisions made by our planning dept and council it is not beyond the realms of possibility that this could happen given their passion for destroying productive farmland and concreting over our Island.
Get rid of the rundown house boat slums that will get rid of the sewage smell give it a good clean then open it up for water sports
Hopefully the next owner will remove those freeloading low life traveler beings and start charging people to park at the point.
Otherwise Bembridge will be twinned with Slab City in Utah
The homeless make the place look tardy and will lower our property prices.