Ryde Harbour could be rebranded — to Ryde Marina — when it changes hands next year, as part of ambitious plans.
Ryde Town Council (RTC) and current owner, the Isle of Wight Council (IWC), are currently in negotiations.
If talks are successful, RTC will take over control and add the harbour to its property and investment portfolio, which also includes St Thomas’s Church, Vectis Hall and, eventually, Ryde Town Hall.
Five-year business plan
The town council has now published its five-year business plan, outlining where it would take the harbour’s future and how it will continue to grow beachfront hire facilities.
A new marina Webcam is proposed, along with a new website, giving weather information, tide heights and a visitor booking system.
New pontoons will be installed, increasing the number of berths to 130.
Electricity will be supplied to increase visitor income and replace the current noisy generators.
Short-term parking for berth holders is being proposed, with a card entry system for access.
Relocating harbour office
At a cost of around £125,000, the town council is proposing to move the harbour office and install more facilities, like showers and toilets, to accommodate the summer visitors and berth holders.
The town council says rebranding the harbour as ‘Ryde Marina’ will allow it to have ‘a new start’, drawing a line under the old ownership.
It says it will mean it can stamp its own identity, values and customer service, from the start.
Discussions continue, but Ryde Town Council could become the new owner on 1st April.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is part of. Read here to find about more about how that scheme works on the Island. Some alterations and additions may have been made by News OnTheWight. Ed
