It has
been a year of bargains in the boating business, according to Norbury Wharf's
Managing Director Simon Jenkins.
Looking
back at the end of the 2013 boating season, he said: “We have been in no doubt
that our customers have less money to play with than for many years and we have
worked hard to keep our prices down, with the result that families have still
been able to afford boating holidays, days out on our trip boat and our
self-drive day boats and even a cup of tea in our wharf-side café.
“Throughout
the season we have offered the best value for money we could and I am pleased
to say that we seem to have earned the loyalty of our customers.”
That is
showing both in the number of holidays already booked for 2014 - within a week
or so of the dates and prices going live on the Norbury Wharf website.
“We have
bookings for our largest boats for many of next year's key holiday periods,
right from the first half-term in February through to the summer. People want
to make sure they get the boat they want when they want it; and our experience
shows that will pick up even more immediately after Christmas,” Simon added.
Boat
owners also seem to be planning ahead and making sure they keep their boats in
tip-top condition. Norbury's painter Rich Corbett , 45, trained as a graphic
designer at art college but began working in boatyards nearly 25 years ago. He worked
at Norton Canes Boatbuilders for nearly a decade on and off, building his
reputation as a painter and since arriving at Norbury early this year his
services have been in great demand. In fact they are now booked up for much of
2014 and bookings are being taken for 2015.
There is
a similar story on the dry dock where bookings for next year are growing
steadily, something not seen in earlier years.
“I don't
know if boat owners are now realising they have a valuable asset which needs
looking after,” said Simon Jenkins. “I was always a bit bemused by people who
owned a boat but didn't seem to care if it was deteriorating, but we don't seem
to see that as much now. Perhaps that is one good impact of the recession.”
