Ownerships buys key waterway boatyard
10 Mar 2010
OwnerShips’ new site at Fradley Junction – photo: Waterway Images
OwnerShips has bought Fradley Marine Services, formally known as Swan Line Cruisers. The company will improve the whole site, particularly the interior of the historic building containing the shop, which will be developed and the stock increased before reopening again by Easter.
INLAND WATERWAYS: Major shared ownership company OwnerShips last night - March 9 - bought Fradley Marine Services at Fradley Junction, where the Trent & Mersey and Coventry canals meet near Lichfield, writes Harry Arnold.
Formally known as Swan Line Cruisers – which many still refer to it as - the business, dating back to the 1950s, is one of the oldest on the canal network.
Fradley Junction is a key location – classed as a ‘honeypot’ site by British Waterways (BW) – and in a recent survey came joint second in the national table for the number of boat movements. It’s also a magnet for visitors, with the historic Swan Inn, two cafes and an award winning nature reserve.
OwnerShips' customer services manager, Phil Capp, told us they intend to improve the whole site, particularly the interior of the historic building containing the shop, which will be developed and the stock increased to include a larger range of chandlery and will be reopened again by Easter.
Some existing staff will remain and other OwnerShips employees are likely to move to Fradley in the future.
Formally known as Swan Line Cruisers – which many still refer to it as - the business, dating back to the 1950s, is one of the oldest on the canal network.
Fradley Junction is a key location – classed as a ‘honeypot’ site by British Waterways (BW) – and in a recent survey came joint second in the national table for the number of boat movements. It’s also a magnet for visitors, with the historic Swan Inn, two cafes and an award winning nature reserve.
OwnerShips' customer services manager, Phil Capp, told us they intend to improve the whole site, particularly the interior of the historic building containing the shop, which will be developed and the stock increased to include a larger range of chandlery and will be reopened again by Easter.
Some existing staff will remain and other OwnerShips employees are likely to move to Fradley in the future.
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