Watchet Marina in Somerset, south-west England, celebrated its 25-year milestone on Saturday, 25 July, at the Phoenix Centre on Watchet Esplanade. The event highlighted recent infrastructure improvements and upcoming projects as work continues across the marina.
Berth holders, visitors and the local community attended the celebration, which featured welcome drinks, a hog roast, a best dressed boat competition and the marina’s first boat jumble. Alongside the celebrations, the event also highlighted updates on the progress made since Western Marinas acquired the site in September 2024.
Johara Sykes-Dale, managing director of Western Marinas, commented: “When we acquired the marina, our priority was to get the fundamentals right. We’ve invested heavily in the infrastructure, improved reliability and focused on creating a marina that berth holders can have confidence in, while laying the foundations for the future.”
Since taking ownership, the company has focused on improving the marina’s infrastructure and restoring marina services, beginning with a major dredging programme, the return of fuel sales, the restoration of essential services, health and safety improvements, the clearance of large areas of the boatyard and better access across the site.
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More recently, the marina has added new hammerhead pontoons, replaced the pontoon electrical, water and lighting systems, installed new pontoon safety ladders, a vehicle access barrier and new washroom windows. Work on the marina gate operating system is also under way, with a new fuel pump, marina gateway access ladders and refurbishment of the marina washrooms planned next.
Johara added: “There is still more to do, but seeing so many berth holders, visitors and members of the local community come together to celebrate this milestone was a wonderful reminder of how much this marina means to people. Their support gives us great confidence as we continue investing in Watchet and building on the progress we’ve made.”
Images courtesy of Western Marinas.
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