The new co-owner of Bembridge Harbour, Malcolm Thorpe. Picture by Peter Boam.
A BRIGHT new future — rescuing Bembridge Harbour from a murky past — has been promised by its new owners.
The couple, who paid an undisclosed sum for the harbour, which previously went under with debts of £3 million, pledged community involvement in their new enterprise.
Malcolm and Fiona Thorpe, from Bouldnor Road, Yarmouth, have bought the harbour and its surrounds totalling 200 acres from the administrator.
It includes more than 650 moorings, four marina pontoons and various properties.
Their bid was chosen in preference to Bembridge Harbour Trust, which wanted to manage and improve the harbour for the benefit of the community.
"We believe the trust will get exactly what it wants without having to make the capital outlay," said Mr Thorpe.
"We really do want to involve the community in how the harbour is run."
All eight harbour jobs have been saved by the sale to Mr and Mrs Thorpe.
"The staff within Bembridge Harbour Authority are very important to us. They are all 'front of house’ dealing direct with our customers and hence we want to ensure a harmonious relationship," said Mr Thorpe.
Mr and Mrs Thorpe say they will take a very public role in managing the harbour, giving full support to harbourmaster Chris Turvey and his team.
"There is a huge amount of investment needed that has been outstanding during the previous regime — dredging the harbour, replacing old, tired, pontoons, upgrading shore facilities, and dealing with health and safety issues to name but a few," said Mr Thorpe.
Meetings had already taken place with stakeholders and harbour users and there would be a public meeting at the end of January, he said.
Mr and Mrs Thorpe moved to Yarmouth 14 years ago. Mr Thorpe sits on Yarmouth Harbour Advisory Committee and is a non-executive director of Cowes Yacht Haven marina.
He said: "We realise the credibility of Bembridge Harbour Authority is at a low ebb having failed to live up to previously given assurances.
"We have to concentrate on restoring a stable platform for the business and the harbour as a whole — there is no quick overnight fix," said Mr Thorpe.
• Bembridge Harbour Trust said it was disappointed its bid failed but pledged to work with the new owners for the benefit of the community.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk