A new late-night Red Jet sailing has been commissioned for later this month, giving Islanders a midnight return option from Southampton.
Richard Quigley and his wife Leah Rice are set to fund the first sailing of Red Funnel’s newly-launched late-night Red Jet charter service through their Cowes-based fish and chip shop, Corries Cabin.
The first additional crossing is scheduled for Saturday 23rd May, with a midnight departure from Southampton after the end of the normal Red Jet timetable, as previously reported by Island Echo.
The new charter service has been developed following discussions between the Isle of Wight West MP and the ferry operator, with the aim of improving flexibility and connectivity for Islanders travelling to and from the mainland.
Under the arrangement, additional Red Jet crossings can be chartered outside of the standard timetable when demand exists. Although each sailing must be commissioned in advance, tickets will be made available to the public through the Red Funnel website.
The new service is expected to benefit Islanders attending theatre shows, concerts and events in Southampton, as well as those returning from trips to London later in the evening.
Richard Quigley said:
“I’m thrilled that Red Funnel have worked with me to make this late-night charter service possible, and even more pleased to be chartering the first sailing through Corries Cabin.
“The late-night crossing will make a real difference to Islanders. We all know what it’s like to go to the theatre or a gig in Southampton and have to leave early to catch the last Red Jet.
“This new service will let people enjoy a night out to Southampton or even get back from London the very same night.
“While there is still much more to do to improve ferry services and ensure they are treated as the vital lifeline they are, it’s important to recognise meaningful steps forward like this. I’m excited to see how these new charter services give Islanders of all ages greater freedom to travel and enjoy new opportunities off Island.”
The initiative follows Mr Quigley’s free ferry ticket scheme launched in 2025 for Isle of Wight residents turning 18.
Neil Chapman, Operations Director at Red Funnel, added:
“Supporting Island communities and the local businesses that help them thrive is something we really care about at Red Funnel.
“We’ve been pleased to work with Richard and Leah to help bring this initiative forward, and to see the first Red Jet charter delivered with the backing of a local business.”
This looks very dodgy
Can we see the rates that you’re being charged by Red Funnel for the Red Jet charter please Richard Quigley? Do you have a ‘special rates’ discount as IOW MP who coincidentally is refusing to request the fixed link study promised at the election, that assists Red Funnel continue to profiteer?
By independent calculations, Red Funnel must charge AT LEAST over £2,000 for the single return charter (even if the transportation is one way).
You will need to charge 100 people £20 to cover that… but if you get 200 people … do you keep the extra £2000? Who covers the loss if you do make a loss?
As the acting MP, you have a responsibility to declare complete transparency in your business dealings when selling tickets to your constituents for essential travel, especially when it could be considered potential collusion with Red Funnel.
We don’t want a fixed link though do we you should know better than anyone that it’s a bad idea that isn’t wanted or required at either end.
You, you dont want a fixed link Johnny. It is wanted by many.
Should be an island vote for a fixed link.
Should have had a fixed link years ago, it would have halted the decline
This chip shop either makes a fortune or it will be a very short lived PR stunt.
It’s a great plaice, the cod ain’t bad either.
Lol
Its a terrible chippy, the chips are always soggy! Just like the owners words, remember his vote for me promises…red funnel obviously brown enveloped him.
Always been perfect when I have visited and whenever
I am in Cowes I always go to Corries Cabin.
Open 7 days a week too, many fish and chip shops
on the island only open a few hours a week hence
offering a poor service for customers.
Keep up the good work Corries Cabin
Commendable by Quigley, but does this kick the can along the road? Shouldn’t the service be in place anyway?
“The late-night crossing will make a real difference to Islanders.”
Wrong Squiggles!
What WOULD make a difference to Islanders is you and your boss, Two Tier Kier, quitting your Parliamentary seats as the local elections have proved that sleazy Liebore are not wanted (with the sole exception of Jock) here, or on the mainland.
No Islanders who wants to get back late after a night out in Southampton could not give a rats ar.e about who is Pm or any incidentals we just want to go across the water and enjoy some form of nightlife as the old folks brigade”we retired here for peace and quiet)a couple of decades back got everything shut down .keep your political leanings in a debate where they matter and let Islanders have a chance to stay out past the witching hour!.
A fixed link would do that perfectly
A fixed link would finally put the island on
the map.
Better job prospects for youngsters etc etc
More companies would re-locate to the island.
And the Isle of Wight would become the backside of Hampshire – have a look at Portland
not quite sure how you think getting rid of Labour would make anything better for the inhabitants of the Isle of Wight.?
I agree, that Labour have not dobe a lot to improve things for us. but then,
in 14 years, the previous tory government failed to do anything meaningful,..
& reform (if they get into power,.. God helps us) will, I’m sure, treat us like they intend to treat everyone who isn’t one of their rich supporters,.. like a piece of sh1t on their shoe…
so just how, do you think, getting rid of Labour would help ??
it seems that you allow your obsessive hatred of the labour party, to prevent your, obviously challenged, intelect, from understanding reality…
So our Liebore ‘Socialist’ Member for West Wight, who bragged that he would sort out the ferries in the first hundred days has resorted to a publicity stunt ferry charter. Oh, and of course, being a member of the Party who were formed for the benefit if WORKING people, his Chippy has no issue in inflating its prices during events such as Cowes week while decrying the ‘fact’ that petrol companies are making additional profits due to the increase in oil prices while, Rachel from Accounts, quietly rakes in the increased Duty and Tax revenues on said sales, but, naturally making no suggestion that it should hand that back to the Tax PAYER!
We can boycott the chippy hahaha
You’re miss is my gain don’t forget to put
plenty of salt and vinegar on.
Bon Appetit
I already do. Not a chip has passed my lips since I realised who the owner is.
Your loss is other persons gain.
You obviously have a chip on your shoulder
Lol
We would be more impressed if Mr Quigly Squat got them to make the ferries affordable and reliable, instead of a short lived publicity stunt
I cannot speak for Richards politics, but I must say he
runs a great Fish and Chip shop.
One of the best on the island if not the best.
Keep up the good work.
Labour may have got battered at the local elections,
but Corries Cabin do great battered sausages and
battered fish and chips and that’s the main thing.
Politics is a game, food is a necessity.
Any sauce? Salt? Vinegar? Socialism???
What a pointless and desperate stunt, by a pointless and desperate… mp.
I prefer my chips without socialism 🙂