Groups of mainlanders are being offered a booze cruise across the Solent to enjoy pubs on the Isle of Wight – 1 of just 3 places in the country where you can drink in a pub without a meal.
A boat owner from the Christchurch and Mudeford area has posted an advert online offering ‘pub charters’ to the Isle of Wight at £50 per person.
The ‘main attraction’ is not the boat ride experience from Christchurch to the Island – but the pubs that await on this side of the water, according to the post.
The individual, who Island Echo are not naming, says they’ve ‘got to make the most of the current situation’ by only taking bookings for a full group of 6 – pocketing £300 per return crossing. Drinks are not included in the price…
It’s unclear if the poster was genuine in his offer, although it is thought he has connections to a boat charter company.
Those living in Tier 2 areas of England and travelling to the Island are reminded they must act as if they were still in their Tier 2 area, meaning those taking up the offer shouldn’t be enjoying the pubs like Islanders. That said, checks aren’t being made at the bar.
Those travelling this festive period are being asked to do so ‘the wight way’, as reported by Island Echo earlier today. Those from Tier 3 are being told to stay away.
Do you agree with this business opportunity? Comment below to have your say…
no
And whilst you all argue over such small details…your liberties are being erased !!!!!
And you are the sort of selfish, self-centered twit who would put peoples liberties at risk permanently by death. Before you demand your ‘rights ‘accept your civil responsibilities and then you might be a ‘real citizen’.
No I am not scared of flu !
Why do you think people throughout history have died in wars? Because freedom is worth dying for to defend it against tyrants like you, you utter pillock.
There must be a way this can be stopped.
I b hope so anon.seely wont care just money too ignorant idiots .i want rid of all this lockdown nonsense as no need but doing a stunt like this is totally wrong…If true obv
People will come here because they want to, regardless of any advice to keep others safe. Maybe pubs and restaurants when taking bookings should state that driving licence ID will be required.
If this is true it will end up putting us into tier 2 eventually. And before everyone starts having a go I’m just saying I as do many other people would like to stay in tier 1 and have a more normal life without people coming over here and spreading the virus. And no its not the often talked about islander way of thinking it’s just a normal person who doesnt want higher restrictions inflicted just because people want to come over for a piss up.
I can 100% tell you that this is not true, well the post was made but in humour and nothing more.
Our pubs should be turning away anyone not from tier 1 areas I know they have been hit hard financially but allowing this increases he risk of them being shut down again
Rules are Rules and if pubs cant enforce them, then they should be fined, put on Santas naughty list by being given a months suspension from trading. If the pubs refuse to serve visitors from tier 2 unless they have a substantial meal and can prove they are from the same home then we stand a chance of staying in tier 1.
The Police should be informed so BOOZE CRUISERS get a £200 fine on top of the £50 charge.
They cant turn away but should enforce no alcohol unless a meal.
Selfish greedy twats.drink at home.keep your germs .we don’t want you.fo
Always money over islanders
So will Islanders be as forceful over visits to tier 2 areas fir Christmas shopping and bringing virus back?? West Quay and Gunwharf opening and eager for trade at the end of this week. With such a rush for shopping due to present lockdown it’s inevitable that Islanders will sadly bring virus back here and we won’t keep tier 1 for long!!
This is not true! The post was made with light hearted humour intended. Not by myself either, before people shoot the messenger. The poster also does not have any boating charter connections either. This is 100% fake news.
IF this is the case then I am sorry but in the middle of a pandemic with 58 thousand UK deaths it is in very bad taste – despicable – disgusting, not in the slightest way funny. The poster should be made to publicly apologise and banned from social media for 12 months minimum.
Boring steve – get a grip – the pandemic was over ages ago, this is just about self righteous clowns dictating what you can and cannot do, as well as dim politicians that have had the power go to their heads.
you are no more at risk than you were last december
You wouldnt be saying that if it were 1 of your family that caught covid,
did you put it on here then? Not very intelligent when so many people are worried and upset about having to go in tier 2 if it gets out of hand
Brilliant, six tickets booked. I can’t wait.
Getting my canoe
Bring your mates
I’d be well up for that, and i love the IOW
Your all welcome ..
No way shouldnt be allowed there must be someone with the power to stop it from happening impound his boat or take his licence away. All the person advertising this stupid idea is lining his own pocket. & putting other people at risk its going to be bad enough as it is over Christmas when we get all the 2nd home owners over here
Typical mainlander don’t give a toss hope his family gets covid
Thats not a very nice comment, are you British ?
Yes very much paid my taxes are you seem benefits person brainless
No. This should not be allowed. It will be the quickest way of getting the Island into Tier 3 !!
Theres always someone out to make a quid at another’s expense. I’m sure Shitelink and Red Funnel will be onboard with it too.
Tho I want to make it clear I am totally against the boat booze cruise but its for a group of 6 people only is it going to be any worse than at christmas when us islanders welcome loved ones there will be a much higher risk from ourselves having family over from tier 2 & 3 for 2 or 3 days than a group of 6 people over here for a few hours & no im not saying that islanders should not have relatives over for christmas I hope no one is offended but there is two sides to the coin How can we say no to a group of 6 coming over on a boat then welcome friends & family over for christmas it makes us sound like hypocrites
Im totally against anybody from tier 1 and 2 coming over, and no i wont be having any of my family visiting and i wont be visiting them till safe to do so!!!
Should not be allowed
It is not one of the top councillors is it. As he was selling alcohol when pubs were closed during the Summer from his Cafe?
This can only be a hoax. Why would you want to pay £50 when you can travel on a ferry as a foot passenger for a fraction of the price. Either way, such ‘jollies’ should be banned ’til Easter.
Piss off more like. We don’t want to be put into tier 2 as well. Just means everything will get ruined for everyone then.
Grow up this will just make us end up in another lockdown. 50 quid I’m sure you could get enough crates for that in tesco save your money and lives people
IOW Council MUST look into this to see if it is genuine. If it is, it has got to be STOPPED and QUICK.
Stop it now before our numbers go up in the thousands….we have low numbers for a reason
No this should be Stopped asap, and if The Island Echo Know this person as they say they do then they are out of order for not reporting them. “The individual, who Island Echo are not naming” give his name to the authorities if you what to be secretive about it You have a duty to other Islanders. You could also drop a hint where it will dock, so it can be sunk. FFS we are all in this and need to lookout for each other, not look for Money making scams.
A simple call to the MCA over safety concerns would at least ensure the boat is seaworthy;)
Let’s hope the weather is really rough with strong winds and high seas.
The return journey could be interesting ha ah !!
What’s the problem, but why pay £50 quid, traveling on the Wightlink ferry you can get a pint with your mates have group meeting without the need to social distance or wear a face covering as you are drinking, get a Taxi booked to the Pub of choice, and finish the evening off with a pint on the way back. If people are allowed to take vectors of infection (children) around supermarkets why not have adults across to use the pubs on the Island.
Whilst I don’t agree with this specific promotion of the IOW pub crawl. It has to be argued whether adverts for Islanders going to West Quay or Gunwharf would be met with such an outcry. Based on arguments that tier 2 shouldn’t visit tier 1 – then why has no paper on the island, or Isle of Wight council spoken out against the impact of Islanders returning to the island from a good Christmas shopping spree in close proximity in a tier 2 area. When is it going to be sane suggested rule for Islanders and mainlanders- don’t travel please!
When there’s money involved all common sense goes out the window. I think this is a wind up.
Drinks and covid not included
There’s always someone who will take advantage of a situation to make a quick buck.
Very inconsiderate and should be stopped.
Who in their right mind would spend £50 to be taken to a pub to spend a couple of quid on a drink ??
Sheer greed
Lol as if the island is anything like cheap ! £300 return and then pub prices on par with London. Good luck with that one !
Absolutely not, this should not happen. So we as islanders have done our best to keep the infection rate down and now idiots with boats want to try their best to put the island residents at more risk just for the sake of a fast buck.
Hope this is not for real.
Did you know the word gullible isn’t in any dictionary, go check
Hope they get seasick.
If this is true, then how about landing strips on the island, banning it- If a joke then in very poor taste at the present time.
I think what is being missed here is… The teir 2 people should be concentrating on getting their area into teir one. That way we would not have suffer because they can’t be bothered to fix their own area and are trying to get round the rules, possibly to our detriment
Que the angry mob with flaming pitchforks.
I am a mainland resident but I think this is disgusting and just shows some will do ANYTHING for money! It’s obscene. I know business needs to be made but this is ruthless and unethical. I would be fuming if I were an Islander. And shame on those who support him!
Interesting how such sheep believe everything that is written on social media and tabloids, there’s far more than COVID bubbles i feel !!
Have they no morals. Sense of responsibility, heart? This is about the WHOLE nation recovering! STOP IT – POLICE IT!! PUBS KNOW WHO TVEIR LOCALS ARE. WELL WE DO ON THE ISLAND!
It is out of order to in courage such stupidity in these times the people on the island wouldn’t want people coming across unnecessary. Especially just to booze.
Not many mentions of a fixed link lately.
In 1943 Winston Churchill said don’t believe everything you read on the internet
If you say gullible really fast it sounds like islander
This is totally going to put our island in a different tier on 16 December from their 1 we will be heading for the danger zone of more covid virus
More deaths
Tomorrow what should of been a starting day shops reopening business opening
But how stupid no minster have thought.
That soon the island could rocket levels so high of covid virus
And 1 Hospital is all we have .
Well done to our MP clap clap
I trust this ‘boat owner’ is fully insured and licensed to ply the trade as a ferry operator.I am sure landing fees would be charged.
This is a disgrace. For the fuel and time it should be no more than £40.
Not sure why people think this would put us in a new tier? Didn’t we have holiday makers over during the summer?
Cheers
Different in the summer , we had good weather and most people were outside.
Should not be allowed
Where’s KarnEvil9? Surely he/she must have some wise words to say about this?
Surely this must be a hoax though.
This must not be allowed, there goes your level 1 and lives will be lost. So sad
Ridiculous, greedy opportunism. Please do name this individual.