RE-PRICING OF 12 MONTH MOORING PERMITS 2015 MOORINGS AREA REPORT FOR PENNINES Introduction This report provides the rationale for mooring price decisions for 2015. VAT is payable at the rate set by the government for the date when the permit is purchased. Profiles of privately operated sites in the area are appended. We researched and compared their prices with the Canal & River Trust rates to inform our judgements, but because this data is commercially sensitive it has not been included. Local market overview The moorings in the Pennine area are spread over Yorkshire to the East and Lancashire to the West, specifically Sowerby Bridge / Standedge Tunnel/Leeds (West) and Burnley / Rochdale (East). Main waterway access points to other areas are at; Leeds (Leeds and Liverpool Canal heading West) Sowerby Bridge (Rochdale Canal heading West) Riley Green (Leeds and Liverpool Canal heading East) Manchester (Rochdale Canal heading East) In addition to our own long term moorings, there are apaproximately 1000 berths in the same market area that are operated by private operators. Over the past 36 months no additional marinas have opened in the area and none are expected in the next 12 months. Analysis of auctioned vacancies Total Auctions (inc. Relists) Since April 2012 Total Successful Auctions Current Capacity Finnington Bridge 13 10 3 3 Salterforth 7 4 2 2 Greenberfield Top Lock 5 5 2 2 Bank Newton 164 6 9 5 6 Bank Newton Bridge 165 4 8 1 1 Bank Newton Lock 36 9 19 6 9 Springs Branch 9 9 5 8 Hebden Bridge (West) 5 1 0 0 Total No. of Bidders Pennines 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 1 of 5
Private Operator Reference Sites We have identified the following privately operated mooring sites as being the most relevant to the CRT sites for price comparison purposes, however, some operators were not able to be contacted and those in bold indicate which were not. Reedley Marina Lower Park Marine Riley Green Knotts Bridge Wilkinsons Farm Southfield Farm Mayroyd Shire Cruisers A comparison of key characteristics of the reference sites is shown in the appendix. Challenges to Pricing Decisions We have made the pricing recommendations below based on a thorough review of auction results and local knowledge. It is our policy, set at Board level, to set prices which reflect market rates and to compete fairly with private operators. The Trust has neither powers nor duty to provide subsidised moorings. If you feel that the price decision made for your mooring site is unjustified having read this report, we ask that you write to the Head of Direct Managed Moorings explaining why you think it is the case. Please explain the reasoning for your challenge including evidence such as price and descriptions of nearby privately operated mooring sites. We will not amend the price without this evidence. We will consider your representation and respond in writing within two working weeks. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may request that the matter is dealt with through our formal complaints procedure. Pennines 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 2 of 5
Pricing Conclusions The table below summarises our site-by-site conclusions across the area. Prices include VAT @ 20%. Ashton Canal 2014 Price Price from April 2015 Portland Basin 68.56 71.98 Leeds & Liverpool Canal Finnington Bridge 91B 68.32 61.48 Salterforth 79.79 81.78 Greenberfield Top Lock 94.42 89.70 Bank Newton Lock 36 82.06 82.06 Bank Newton 164 81.56 83.60 Bank Newton Bridge 165 91.60 91.60 Springs Branch 89.57 91.81 Rodley Bridge 216 71.78 75.36 Notes on pricing decision No churn or mooring vacancies advertised, this is only a small site with 2 boats. There are other boats on the site but these are trade craft. Basic towpath mooring in a semi-rural area just outside of Riley Green. The site is not at full capacity. A price reduction has been applied to encourage take up of vacant berths Based in a semi-rural area aside the small village of Salterforth, Some churn but vacancies sell well at auction. Improvements on the access gate into the car park this year, and installation of new coded lock, have increased security. Nearby competitor charges more but has better compliment of facilities, and electric. Site based on staging just off towpath. There have been no improvements made at this site this year. One recent space auctioned ended with no bids. A short term berth holder is currently in situ. Appears to be very little demand here. Closest competitor is marina in style and offers electric. A price reduction has been applied to encourage take up of vacant berths This site is based around 1 mile from the Village of Gargrave and is set in a rural location. Sited below 6 locks moorings at Lock 36 are comparatively similar to those at Bridge 164 but with water. Steady turnover on site. Spaces do go but rarely over reserve. No improvements have been made on the site all year. Based on the towpath in a rural area around 1.5 miles from the village of Gargrave, the site shows steady demand and turnover. Close by competitors are not really comparable. Based at the other side of Bridge 165 from Bridge 164 moorings, this site is similar but on the offside. It is now at full capacity. Site is located in the centre of the busy market town of Skipton. The moorings are basic and offer towpath facility only, with rings. Some turnover is evident but does not occur too often. Nearby competitor offers chandlery and other boating services but moorings are for boat sales rather than leisure use. Towpath site to the West of Leeds. Popular site with little churn. No facilities at this basic site. Pennines 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 3 of 5
Rochdale Canal 2014 Price Price from April 2015 Hebden Bridge West 69.93 69.92 Stoodley Bridge 51.19 52.47 Notes on pricing decision Mooring is set on a quiet area of the towpath just off the centre of the busy market town of Hebden Bridge. There are some industrial units nearby. Little churn but last vacancy failed to sell. Local competitive site is priced slightly higher with better facilities. This basic site has towpath and rings only. Set on the towpath in a rural backdrop, the Trust retains one mooring on a much larger towpath site that is run by a local boat club. Pickwell & Arnold 53.95 55.30 This site is based in a rural area with a nearby boat builders and property. Jenny Whitehall Head of Direct Managed Moorings Pennines 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 4 of 5
PRIVATE OPERATOR MOORINGS USED FOR PRICING COMPARISONS Site Setting Mooring Amenity Facilities Reedley Marina Semi-rural location 110 berth marina with pontoons Shared facilities including elsan, pump out, diesel, gas, showers, toilets, launderette, water and refuse. Car parking and electricity is also available. Lower Park Marine Semi-rural location Offside linear moorings Water point, refuse, elsan, toilets, electricity, diesel, gas, postal service & chandlery. On Site car parking Riley Green Semi-rural location Offside linear moorings No site facilities Knotts Bridge Semi-rural location, close to M65 Offside linear moorings On site car parking Mayroyd Semi-rural location Offside linear moorings Water points and electricity on site Shire Cruisers Wilkinson Farm Southfield Farm Town location, 10 minutes from the M62 Extremely rural site but close to a working farm. Very rural site, close to East Marston Linear / basin Linear farmers field style moorings on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Linear farmers field moorings on the L&L. Notice board, drinking water, refuse, disposal, car parking, elsan, toilets and electricity. Outside storage, pump out, diesel, gas, postal service, boat repair, facilities and chandlery. Electricity and water, some car parking available. Water and car parking. Pennines 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 5 of 5