RE-PRICING OF 12 MONTH MOORING PERMITS 2015 MOORINGS AREA REPORT FOR WEST LANCS 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 Lancaster Canal has a clearly defined market for moorings. It is the north-western extremity of the Canal & River Trust network from Preston to Tewitfield, running through the popular locations of Garstang, Lancaster and Carnforth. Although accessible to the rest of the network via the Ribble Link which is seasonal (April to October), the large majority of boaters do not use it and confine their cruising to the Lancaster.. The moorings in Glasson Basin accommodate sea going craft and serve the coastal as well as inland boating market. In addition to the CRT long term moorings, there are circa 150 online and 780 offline basin or marina moorings in the same area; this includes the marinas at Barton Grange and Tewitfield. Thus the total market comprises circa 1100 berths. The attractive rural character of the area and its absence of locks still proves a strong draw for customers and demand for moorings on the Lancaster Canal remains high. Analysis of auctioned vacancies Total Auctions (inc. Relists) Since April 2012 Total Successful Auctions Current Site Name Capacity Salwick Wharf 14 15 6 6 Pendle 20 22 13 15 Bilsborrow Wharf 11 5 5 14 Dimples Bridge 20 16 11 14 Tythe Barn 11 3 2 5 Moss Lane (South) 10 1 6 6 Moss Lane (North) 21 12 6 6 Montgomeries Wharf 6 7 6 6 Cabus Nook 9 8 3 3 Ratcliffe Wharf 11 5 4 4 Hest Bank 22 19 10 10 Bolton Le Sands 3 3 3 4 Tewitfield 3 3 1 1 West Lancs 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 1 of 5 Total No. of Bidders
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 Moons Bridge Ashton Basin Barton Grange Garstang Marina Bridgehouse Marina Tewitfield Marina BWML Galgate BWML Glasson Nu Way Acorn Brief profiles of these privately operated sites are summarised in an appended table. 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. West Lancs 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%. Site Name 2014 Price Price from April 2015 Notes on pricing decision Salwick Wharf 77.14 79.06 Stone Chimney Wharf 84.84 84.84 Pendle Moorings 69.13 65.68 Bilsborrow Wharf 103.02 113.32 Dimples Bridge 79.79 81.78 Basic towpath site with no facilities only limited parking available. Popular site with little churn. Vacancies do sell at auction. We are currently reviewing the options for this site in the long term and have only been advertising short term vacancies until a decision has been made. Only 2 out of the 5 berths are currently occupied A large section of the towpath in the middle of the long term moorings has collapsed and requires repair which has resulted in a loss of available berths to sell. Reduction applied. Very popular site with little churn. Site has access to facilities which are shared with passing boaters. Last 2 vacancies have sold at well over the advertised guide price. Pricing is in-line with the local marina which has a higher level of facilities. Popular site close to the amenities of Garstang. Little churn but when they do arise, vacancies always sell at auction. Tythe Barn Garstang 85.41 87.55 Popular site In Garstang with little churn. Close proximity to services. Moss Lane (South) 97.22 99.65 Popular site In Garstang with little churn. Close proximity to services. Moss Lane (North) 89.92 92.16 Popular site In Garstang with little churn. Close proximity to services. Montgomeries Wharf 87.66 89.85 Popular site close to the amenities of Garstang. Little churn on the site. Cabus Nook (Houghton) 73.06 75.40 Popular site with little churn, vacancies sell at auction. Ratcliffe Wharf 98.19 100.64 Very popular site with little churn, currently full. West Lancs 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 3 of 5
Site Name 2014 Price Price from April 2015 Notes on pricing decision Lodge Hill Galgate 82.36 82.36 No demand, access to site is via a single track lane and there is no parking on site or close by. Hest Bank 79.96 79.96 Number of vacancies at this site which is mostly suitable for small cruisers. Vacancies do sell however this is usually at the reserve price. Bolton Le Sands 85.14 87.27 Site currently full, no churn. Sales through the auction have been consistent and sell well Tewitfield 94.80 97.17 Site currently full, no churn. Shared facilities on site. Sales through the auction have been consistent and sell at either the reserve or above. Pricing is consistent with local marina which has a higher level of facilities available. Glasson Arm 85.14 85.14 Site to be closed down through natural wastage as existing boats leave they will not be replaced. Glasson Basin (designated moorings) 87.66 87.66 Site to be closed once sunken boat removed. Jenny Whitehall Head of Direct Managed Moorings West Lancs 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 4 of 5
Appendix: Mooring site comparisons Site name Setting Mooring amenity Facilities Private ref site 1 - Moons Bridge Marina Private ref site 2 - Ashton Basin Private ref site 3 Barton Grange Marina Private ref site 4 Garstang Marina Private ref site 5 Bridgehouse Marina Private ref site 6 Tewitfield Marina Private ref site 7 BWML Galgate Marina Private ref site 8 BWML Glasson Private ref site 9 Nu Way Acorn Rural location, 5 minute drive from the M6. Semi-rural location, close to local town. Close to local town. On bus route, 5 mins walk to A6 Close to local town. On bus route, 5 mins walk to A6 Close to local town. On bus route, 5 mins walk to A6 Rural location, Close to motorway. Close to local village and good motorway access. Rural location, Ten minute drive to local town On bus route, 10 mins walk to nearest A road. 100 berth marina with Basin leisure site. 250 berth marina with 250 berth marina with 54 berth marina with 54 berth marina with 120 berth marina with pontoons 220 berth marina with Lay-by moorings with pontoons Car parking, slipway, on site chandlery & boat repairs, shared on site toilets & refuse collection. Car parking available. Electricity, refuse collection, drinking water, security, showers, laundry, internet access, car parking & slipway facilities Shared water point. On site car parking & slipway facilities On site car parking & slipway facilities. Shared on site toilets, showers, launderette, diesel, CCTV & on site chandlery. On site car parking Shared on site facilities including pump out, toilets, drinking water, showers, elsan & Laundry. On site car parking, slipway & CCTV. Shared facilities including water point, refuse, elsan, electricity & Laundry. On site car parking, diesel & gas, chandlery. On site car parking. Toilets, showers, telephone, water points, refuse disposal, electrical charging point. West Lancs 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 5 of 5