RE-PRICING OF 12 MONTH MOORING PERMITS 2015 MOORINGS AREA REPORT FOR NORTH MERSEY

Introduction This report provides the rationale for mooring price decisions for 2015. VAT is payable at the rate set by the government for the date when the permit is purchased. Profiles of privately operated sites in the area are appended. We researched and compared their prices with the Canal & River Trust rates to inform our judgements, but because this data is commercially sensitive it has not been included.

Local market overview This area covers the western sections of the Leeds and Liverpool canal including Leigh and Rufford branches. Lying between , Chorley and Preston, the area is popular for boating population of these towns, and proximity to the M6 and M58 means that it also draws boaters from further afield. In addition to these Canal & River Trust long term moorings, there are a total of approx. 250 online and 300 offline basin or marina moorings in the same area. Thus the total market comprises some 700 berths.

Analysis of auctioned vacancies Total Auctions (inc. Relists) Total Total Current Since April Successful No. of Site Name Capacity 2012 Auctions Bidders Haskayne 5 8 1 1 Heatons Bridge 12 1 1 3 Crabtree Lane 19 11 8 9 20 8 4 4 Bridge 12 8 3 4 Rufford Top Lock 13 7 4 4 9 13 8 12 Red Rock 17 8 7 8 Rawlinson Lane 10 14 10 13 Botany Bay 11 12 6 8

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Private operator reference sites We have identified the following privately operated mooring sites as being the most relevant to the CRT sites for price comparison purposes Fettlers Wharf Marina New Lane Moorings St Marys Marina PB Mechanical BWML White Bear Marina Southport Road

Brief profiles of CRT and these privately operated sites are summarised in the appendix.

Challenges to Pricing Decisions We have made the pricing recommendations below based on a thorough review of auction results and local knowledge. It is our policy, set at Board level, to set prices which reflect market rates and to compete fairly with private operators. The Trust has neither powers nor duty to provide subsidised moorings. If you feel that the price decision made for your mooring site is unjustified having read this report, we ask that you write to the Head of Direct Managed Moorings explaining why you think it is the case. Please explain the reasoning for your challenge including evidence such as price and descriptions of nearby privately operated mooring sites. We will not amend the price without this evidence. We will consider your representation and respond in writing within two working weeks. If you are not satisfied with the response, you may request that the matter is dealt with through our formal complaints procedure.

North Mersey 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 2 of 5 Pricing Conclusions

The table below summarises our site-by-site conclusions across the area. Prices include VAT @ 20%.

2014 Price Site Name from April Notes on pricing decision Price 2015

Haskayne £70.81 £70.81 Little demand for this site, the last 3 mooring vacancies have received no bids. Towpath

Saracens Head £40.51 £42.53 Low churn on site, no auction data, Mooring priced very low in comparison with others in the area.

Out of the five most recent auctions at this site, four of them have been above the guide price which indicates demand. This Heatons Bridge £43.67 £44.76 site is priced lower than other comparable Canal & River Trust sites in the area due to the access which is through a third parties land.

Crabtree £65.84 £67.49 Popular site just outside of Burscough, low churn on site. Advertised vacancies sell well.

Lathom Moorings £68.45 £70.50 Popular site just outside of Burscough, low churn on site. Advertised vacancies sell well

Burscough £79.24 £81.62 Popular site in the centre of Burscough in close proximity to the shared facilities. Bridge

Ring O Bells £75.66 £77.55 Small basic towpath site with little churn.

Rufford Top Lock £84.30 £84.30 This is a basic towpath site which is currently full. Previous vacancies have all sold at or around reserve.

Parbold £82.61 £85.08 Offside site in the heart of Parbold Village. Popular site with little churn. Auctions sell well.

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Red Rock £74.17 £74.17 Some churn. There are currently vacancies on site, price held to encourage sales.

Rawlinson £71.93 £73.74 This site is currently full with little churn. Recent vacancies have all sold at or slightly above the guide.

There are currently vacancies on site , these sell when advertised however these have all sold at or around the reserve Botany Bay £88.79 £88.79 price. Taking into account the difference in facilities and environment, this price is consistent with that of a local private operator.

This price reflects high demand, high level of on-site facilities and no turnover of customers. Price is consistent with two Sparks Bridge £108.19 £110.89 local private operators.

Jenny Whitehall Head of Direct Managed Moorings

North Mersey 2015 jw rev final.docx5 Page 4 of 5 APPENDIX - Mooring site comparisons

Site name Setting Mooring amenity Facilities

On site car parking, pump out, elsan, diesel, water, 100 berth marina with Private ref site 1- Fettlers Wharf Marina electricity, waste disposal, showers, toilets and laundry pontoons facilities.

On site car parking, diesel, gas & boat maintenance, 100 berth marina with toilets, showers, laundry facilities, elsan, pump out, Private ref site 2 -St Marys Marina Semi Rural Location approx 10 minute drive to the local town pontoons diesel, slipway, dry dock, electricity, café, refuse disposal, drinking water available.

Chandlery, elsan, diesel electricity, hard standing, Private ref site 3 BWML White Bear 100 berth marina with laundry, showers, waste disposal, toilets, water point, Marina pontoons slipway, hard standing.

Private ref site 4 - New Lane Online offside moorings No on site facilities. Moorings Semi Rural Location approx 5 minutes drive to the local town

Refuse disposal, elsan, diesel & gas, boat repair and Private ref site 5 - PB Mechanical Online offside moorings chandlery.

Private ref site 6 - Southport Road 200 berth marina with Drinking water, refuse disposal, car parking, elsan, Semi Rural Location approx 10 minute drive to the local town Marina pontoons toilets and security

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