Covid-19: the impact on waterways business
THE Covid-19 pandemic has affected all areas of business. No area has gone without having suffered in some way or other.
But it is only now, as some of the restrictions are being reviewed, that the impact can begin to be analysed. At the time of writing, we are just starting to learn more about the Government’s plans for the country and how we might begin to return to some form of normality.
It was against this background that we spoke to a number of businesses to see how they coped during the lockdown and what they think the future holds. With such a diverse range of businesses spread across the entire country it’s quickly become evident that not every business has been impacted in the same way. Some sectors have been hit harder than others.
In one sector are the hire boat fleets, which have come to a complete halt with the majority of their staff having been furloughed. Despite this, Cheryl Howes of Kate Boats told us that there was still maintenance to be carried out. The only obstacle was that some of the fleets have ended up in the wrong location and couldn’t get back home before the lockdown.
She added: “British Marine has been busy organising regular meetings so that hire fleet operators can build a way forward to allow us to operate as safely as possible.” With a very short season ahead, the demand for boats could be significant, but much will depend on how wary the public are about booking holidays. This all remains to be seen.
Build projects
Boatbuilders have had to radically change their ways of working to allow them to tick over during the lockdown. A few have been able to implement safe working practices, and as a result, some have even managed to complete build projects that began before the pandemic hit the UK.
One such builder is Swan Boatbuilders who managed to complete a boat during this time. And despite the difficulties of working with a significantly reduced staffing level, Ortomarine also managed to complete the building of Oyster Moon over the last few weeks.
Perrydale Boats told us that they, like many others, had to furlough many of their team but have still managed to complete two resprays and a kitchen refit. They are also hopeful that some of the enquiries they’ve received over the last few months will result in orders for new-builds.
The ability to adapt to the rapidly changing situation is easier when you are a small business, but for the likes of Robert Parton, managing director of Aqueduct Marina in Cheshire, the lockdown has seen periods of frantic activity followed by almost none at all.
“The day after the lockdown was announced was frantic with lots of concerned staff and customers wanting to ask questions,” Robert remembers. But once the marina closed, with all but a few members of staff and Robert’s family left to keep an eye on things, the atmosphere became a lot quieter. They kept an eye on customers’ boats, including sending pictures to owners who wanted reassurance that their boats were okay.
Partial lifting
This quieter period came to an abrupt end with the announcement of the partial lifting of restrictions in England. Suddenly everyone apparently wanted to know when they could visit their boat? Robert pointed out that it was handy that just before the PM’s announcement, a number of staff members had begun to return to work. In all 24 members of
Aqueduct’s staff were furloughed.
As of May 13, the marina allowed boat owners to visit their boats but not sleep aboard. Areas like reception and the chandlery are locked with all contact being by phone only, to keep staff and the public safe.
Government schemes like furlough and a number of funding streams, mixed with the support of local councils, have enabled businesses, large and small, to continue. British Marine has been very active, something pointed out by both Cheryl Howes and Robert Parton, by trying to support both during the lockdown and planning for the return to work.
Despite this, there will undoubtedly be business casualties as a result of the need to lock down the country, and the waterways. However, let’s hope that the vast majority survive. After all, however vital the waterways are to both individuals and businesses, many have tragically lost far more than their livelihood.