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BRITISH Waterways wants 'floating businesses' from across the system to descend on the London waterways during the Olympics, and is making moorings available.
British Waterways believe that traders taking up the offer will be able to take advantage of an increase in visitors to the waterways due to the Olympics, and is offering discounts to those booking consecutive weeks and long stays.
Interesting sight
Phil Spencer, British Waterways' National Boating Trade Manager expands:
"Floating businesses are a really interesting sight on the waterways, and the visiting public are always very interested in what's for sale from these boats.
"We appreciate that the economic climate remains tough for traders, which is why we are looking to support businesses wishing to come to London for the duration of the Games this summer.
"We hope, if there is enough interest, to help floating businesses create a ‘market' on the canals in London and encourage towpath visitors to discover what's on offer afloat."
Mooring zone
Last year British Waterways took the decision to create a mooring zone within central London to help manage boat traffic, ensure trading boats can operate safely and efficiently, and support security during the Olympic Games period.
This means that boaters can pre-book a guaranteed berth for a set period.
Strict security zone
Though it is stated that the canal network 'is literally on the doorstep of the Olympic Park, and is a much loved and popular feature of East London', it must be remembered that the police are implementing a strict security zone that bans all boats from within quite a distance from the actual Olympic Park during the period of the games.
It would seem therefore that the moorings being made available will be on the Regents Canal, though this has now been designated an official Olympic walking and cycling route from the 27th July to the 12th August.
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