THE BIRMINGHAM MARINA Sherborne Wharf Ltd has been forced into liquidation.
With its boaters all loosing their moorings, Janet Friend reports.
Forced into liquidation
The owners tell that this has come about by Canal & River Trust demanding a surprise additional rent payment that could not be met, it being forced into liquidation.
The moorers at the marina have all been forced out and not only left in limbo, but loosing all their money for mooring and services that they have already paid.
The owners of the marina tell that the marina is a small family-run business, and are genuinely sorry for the hardship and distress this is causing its customers.
Surprise demand
The rent demand was a surprise and could not be met so the only alternative was to go into liquidation.
The moorers that were forced out told the BBC they did not know what the future held for their homes and that they faced being out of pocket by thousands.
With one moorer, Jennica Legarta and her boyfriend, telling that they wanted to move in on a boat together to combat the rising cost of living, so paid £3,400 up front for the whole year to secure mooring and electricity for her boat.
Another moorer, Paul Reynolds told the BBC that he is disabled and paid £4,000 for mooring and electricity for the year, so another well out of pocket.
Payments lost
All payments of all boaters now being lost.
And so it goes on, with many complaining of having no moorings and not now being in a position to afford one, through the demands from Canal & River Trust.
The liquidation was caused by the trust suddenly demanding additional rent for the past seven years, it being such an amount that liquidation was the only way our for Sherborne Wharf Ltd.