Downturn hits boatyard

THERE are plans to sell off part of the property belonging to Hapton Boatyard on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal due to the downturn in orders.

Money raised from the sale of land, that could be used for development will help keep the business in operation in the hope that things improve, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Erect four houses

The developer, Donahue Designs, is interested in the land with plans to erect four houses.

The boatyard fitted-out narrowboats, with hulls delivered to the site, fitted-out, then launched, but a spokesman for the company explained:

"Since the recession there has been very little work for the yard and the sale of part of the site seems the most appropriate way to provide the necessary funding to keep the boat yard going."

This alas is the general trend at the moment, with boatyards simply hanging-on in the hope that things will get better.