Bristol Ferry Boat Company goes out of business
THE Bristol Ferry Boat Company has gone out of business after liquidators were called in by the owners.
The owners of the firm, who include the city's newly-elected mayor George Ferguson, have been struggling to keep it afloat for several years.
But a mixture of the economic downturn and this summer's terrible weather combined to bring down the company, known for its distinctive yellow and blue boats. The decision was taken on Thursday to call in the liquidators and the firm has now ceased trading.
At its height in the busy summer months the firm, based near Welsh Back, employed around 30 full-time and part-time staff.
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Ferry services have already been halted and there is a question mark over what will happen to the private excursions already booked by customers.
Two other boat companies are still operating in the city docks – Number Seven Boat Trips and Bristol Packet Boat Trips – and are unaffected by the announcement.
The Bristol Ferry Boat Company was originally set up by Ian Bungard in the late 1970s but Jane Salvidge became the owner several years ago, with the support of her then husband Rob Salvidge.
The couple have since separated but businessman turned politician Mr Ferguson has also had a share in the business.
One person involved in the firm, who asked not to be named, said: "This is a real tragedy for Bristol. We have worked really hard for the last two or three years to keep the company going but in the end it was just not a viable business.
"Obviously it is a terrible shame that people have lost their jobs but at the same time, the city has lost a part of its heritage. The ferry was one of the things that made the city such a special place.
"No one is to blame for what has happened and people fought long and hard to keep the business going for as long as possible but it was just not possible.
"The business was struggling anyway as a result of the recession and then we had to cope with one of the wettest summers on record, which really did nothing to help the situation."
Mr Ferguson said: "I have been a shareholder in the company for several years but have never been involved in the day-to-day running of the company.
"I have been supporting the business but the last two summers have been particularly difficult. It got to the stage where we decided that the business was no longer viable."
The company, which ran a scheduled ferry service as well as tours and private hire trips, almost went out of business two years ago but was saved when the city council struck a deal with the company.
Mrs Salvidge, the main owner of the business, is believed to be in France at present.
Mr Salvidge has been concentrating on running The Matthew, the replica of John Cabot's historic ship.
He said: "I was involved in the Ferry Company for a couple of years and it is a real shame that it could disappear. There was a danger a few years ago that the firm could go out of business and the council got involved. The council wanted to concentrate on the ferry service rather than the excursion side of the business.
"Basically, the cost of running a waterbus meant that the price of tickets were too expensive for commuters. Sadly, the market was never going to be viable and it really took the business in the wrong direction."
Comments
by Erinaceus
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 5:01PM
“@katachua and Dexterp2001
Nice locomotives, guys ;)”
by Mikey_Blake
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 3:36PM
“To be honest the Ferry-boat service wasn't a lot of use to commuters, as I could walk from Temple Meads to Hotwells quicker than the Ferry-boats, because of them stopping so frequently and the speed-limit in the Harbour, so they had to make their money from round-Harbour trips mostly.
I am extremely surprised seeing how busy they got on weekends, Bristol Festivals etc, that they didn't put some of that cash aside to cover the cold-weather and rainy-days periods,as they must have made an absolute fortune on the nice weekends.
Maybe it's Karma kicking in !!
"What Goes Around Comes Around".
Can anyone remember many years ago when the Bristol Ferry Boat Company were hassling another smaller Ferry-boat operator to "get off their patch", and were doing everything they could to put the small operator out of business.
Well it looks like the Bristol Ferry Boat Company have got their just deserts.”
by Kaptain_Von
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 3:10PM
“Surely with all the flooding that Bristol has experienced now is the perfect time for a ferry boat company to be in business. They could run services along Whiteladies Rd (and probably be more punctual than Firstbus too).”
by stayclassy
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 3:06PM
“I think its a shame, as it was quite a good option during the summer.
In London water taxi's are quite well used, I often take one from Chelsea Wharf when I stay there.
They are much better equipped mind you...”
by Pogo_T_Clown
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 2:04PM
“It was nice to see them pootling around and I took the kids on them a couple of times but to be honest, they just weren't practical. Still, it's a bit of a pity.”
by Oddly
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 12:20PM
“A modest swing bridge from SS Great Britain across to Hotwells would solve most of these problems. There are no ferries "out of hours" anyway, and its astonishing that such a long stretch of water, from Prince St Bridge to Merchants Rd, Hotwells has no permanent crossing.
It would be liberating.”
by notcorcoran
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 12:00PM
“"Work Experience kids at the Post today? -- ferry boat firm sinks ---
..thisisbristol.co.uk/FERRY-BOAT-FIRM-SINKS/story-17379255-detail/story.html”
by notcorcoran
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 11:59AM
“Work Experience kids at the Post today? -- ferry boat firm sinks ---
http://tinyurl.com/czakb2k
The owners of the firm, who include the city's newly-elected mayor George Ferguson, have been struggling to keep it afloat for several years.
... hilarity. Truly.”
by katachua
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 11:23AM
“"He said: "I was involved in the Ferry Company for a couple of years and it is a real shame that it could disappear. There was a danger a few years ago that the firm could go out of business and the council got involved. The council wanted to concentrate on the ferry service rather than the excursion side of the business.
"Basically, the cost of running a waterbus meant that the price of tickets were too expensive for commuters. Sadly, the market was never going to be viable and it really took the business in the wrong direction."
If the Council was telling the Ferry Company how to run its own business, why didn't it pick up the tab?
Does the Coouncil realise how important the ferries are to the City's tourist trade, or are they too busy throwing money at cyclists and Worst Bus?”
by Dexterp2001
Wednesday, November 21 2012, 11:01AM
“Seems like a good opportunity for someone to introduce a fleet of small water taxis in the harbour - which you can flag down or book by phone - as well as a regular service from traffic-ridden Temple Meads. Anyone who suffered the misery of this morning's roads in the centre of Bristol would seriously consider taking to the water.”