£7m investment for MDL Marinas across UK
MDL Marinas will invest £7m across its network of UK marinas for 2023/24, with £1.3m allocated for significant upgrades to its Torquay Marina in Devon, on the English south coast.
“It’s essential for us to continue to invest in our infrastructure: dredging, pontoons, quay walls and berth holder facilities because the quality of customers’ experience is important to us,” says Michael Glanville, managing director of MDL Marinas.
“For this financial year alone, we are investing £7m across our network of UK marinas, with another £30m planned over the next five years.”
The proposed investment will see two of the Devon-based marina’s largest pontoons being upgraded, as well as the installation of a new visitors’ pontoon to support the popularity of the marina as a holiday destination for visiting yacht and motorboat owners.
Commencing this month, works will include replacing the majority of the main walkway, as well as replacing sections and re-piling A Pontoon to widen the basins, replacing sections and fingers on the majority of B Pontoon, and re-piling for larger berths, which will be able to accommodate boats up to 17.6m.
MDL Marinas is also adding a brand-new visitors’ pontoon to welcome more visitors and host more events. The facilities block will be renovated alongside the pontoon works, including a full refresh and new boiler installation.
Other works undertaken in recent months include a new recycling compound, introducing general waste and recycling bins in line with MDL’s green strategy, and laying a waterproof membrane and resurfacing works on the car park.
MDL says it invests in its 19 marinas annually to ensure a continued positive customer experience. The infusion of capital into Torquay Marina’s facilities will offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and modernised dock systems that will guarantee safe access to boats throughout the year, as well as upgraded amenities and wider basins offering increased manoeuvrability for its regular marine users and visitors alike.
“Whether visible or not, large or small, in money or time, all our investment is made with our customers in mind, so they can enjoy the best experience possible,” says Glanville. “This has been our ethos over the last 50 years and will help continue to drive our success for the next 50.”
The works are scheduled to be completed by the end of March 2024, ready for the start of the new boating season.
The news comes following UK-based leisure provider and marina group MDL celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2023, the same year it won the Marina of the Year accolade at the British Yachting Awards.
