WEEKS of secret negotiations were finally made public last week with the news that the lease of Watchet Harbour Marina has been sold to Cardiff-based Marine Property Group, which will take over the ailing mud-bound marina on April 1 and immediately put into action ambitious investment plans.

The deal was struck with the current owner, businessman Tim Taylor, who had been locked in litigation with harbour owners Somerset West and Taunton council for over a year after being served with a section 146 notice for alleged breaches of his lease.

During Mr Taylor’s 16-year tenure, problems with mud and lack of maintenance had reduced the number of boats in the marina from 150 to fewer than 30 and only this week berth-holders withholding fees in protest had been threatened with court action.

Yesterday boat-owners and Watchet residents welcomed the news and had high hopes that a revitalised marina would once more become a major tourist attraction and bring commercial spin-offs to the town.

WACET chairman John Richards said: “We have always had a good relationship with the marina owner but we are very pleased to see what we hope will be an improvement and long-term future for the harbour.”

And a Watchet Boat Owners’ Association spokesman said: “This is the best news we have had for years and we are really looking forward to working with a company which has a wonderful record for running Bristol Channel marinas.

“Already I am getting calls from clubs and sailors all along the Bristol Channel saying how delighted they are and how they can’t wait to sail back to Watchet after the new management takes over.”

A Somerset West and Taunton council spokesman hailed the deal as ‘fantastic news’ and added: “Following our legal action, the marina operator has decided to sell the marina lease to a reputable operator with considerable experience.

“It has taken considerable activity from the council to bring this to its conclusion and negotiate a deal that protects the council’s asset into the future.”

The Marine and Property Group Ltd, which already runs four marinas in Wales, has acquired the Watchet lease for an undisclosed sum.

For the full story see this week’s West Somerset Free Press.