A NEW use for the vacant Griffon Hoverworks building is being charted by the owner of Bembridge Harbour as part of his huge investment in its future.
Bembridge Harbour Authority has announced its plans for the vacant building, following the company’s move from the Isle of Wight to Southampton.
The 21,000 sq ft building and site are close to the harbour’s offices at St Helens and next to the recently enlarged and dredged visitors’ pontoon.
It will be fitted out to become a dry stack boat storage centre, for a maximum of 60 boats, plus a similar number of trailer-borne ribs and day sailing boats.
A separate facility of 4,000 sq ft is to be made available on either a short or long-term basis for fit-outs, refurbishments and restoration projects.
It is part of Bembridge Harbour owner Malcolm Thorpe’s investment in harbour improvements.
He said: "This additional business operation will complement our existing activities, where we now have about 800 moorings throughout the harbour. It is the sole boat storage facility of its kind on the Island fronting directly on to the harbour where boats can be securely stored inside a huge shed."
The business will trade as Bembridge Boat Storage Limited and will be managed by Graham Benton.
Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk