Press Release
WICK MARINA GETS THE GREEN LIGHT
5 December 2008
Wick received a major confidence boost this week, following news that a £576,000 funding package has been secured to install a marina development in the town’s harbour.
The Crown Estate has provided around half the total sum to Wick Harbour Authority (WHA).
Wick harbour is the largest harbour on the east coast of Caithness, and in the face of declining fish landings the harbour authority has a vision to rejuvenate its fortunes with a diverse portfolio of activities for its long-term future. It is expected that pontoons will be in place in time for the 2009 summer sailing season.
Research has shown that the town will benefit from the increase in visiting yachts – particularly in light of the 40 per cent increase in trade recorded since the opening of 12 seasonal pontoons at Wick last year.
Willie Watt, chairman of WHA, said: “This project is a major step forward in diversifying activities in the harbour and provides an important new income stream.
“We are very confident that we can build on our phase one pontoon development success and attract a wide range of vessels to the town.
“The pontoons, which will provide year-round berthing, offer 50 serviced and 20 non-serviced berths.
“Additionally, our plan includes secure over-winter storage and provision of maintenance services for yachts, which will bring in additional revenues.
“We are particularly grateful to the team from HIE – Carol Gunn, Hilary Budge and Sandra McCaughey – and also Alasdair Rankin, from The Crown Estate, for taking this forward.”
The project will support development of marina facilities in other areas by becoming part of a vital network of staging-posts in the north of Scotland within a reasonable day’s sail (30 to 40 miles).
Alasdair Rankin, Head of Marine Business Development Scotland at The Crown Estate, said: “We are delighted to be working with HIE and Wick Harbour Authority on this initiative which we hope will revitalise Wick, encourage more sailors to visit the north of Scotland and provide a boost to the local economy.”
Roy Kirk, HIE’s area manager for Caithness and Sutherland, explained: “This development is essentially strengthening the sailing infrastructure in the north of Scotland and marketing will be targeted towards the Scottish and UK markets.
“HIE was delighted to be able to assist Wick Harbour Authority to fund the marina infrastructure and maximise the opportunities afforded by The Crown Estate. This project will set the Fcene for a transformation of Wick’s harbour front and improve the town’s future.”
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