Plans will celebrate the area’s maritime and industrial past

THE marina’s new owners have revealed ambitious plans to revitalise the facility, and to celebrate its maritime and industrial past, reports Andrew Forgrave.

Showing they mean business, a traditional, two-masted, wooden sailing boat has now made Port Dinorwic, Y Felinheli, its permanent home.

The Klevia, a trading ship built in 1936, was done up again by its owner Scott Metcalfe, from Bangor, who worked on ships at Port Penrhyn. He is one of four directors of The Waterside Consortium, a company that was started up in November 2023 to try to buy the harbour after it went into administration and was put up for sale.

The consortium, registered in Mynyddd Llandegai, found out it was successful last month. But it meant sadness for local campaign, Menter Felinheli who had managed to raise £127,000 in just six weeks hoping to buy the historic harbour and its marina, built in the 1980s, for everyone to enjoy.

Thinking of this, the consortium’s members wish to get local people in on their designs for the harbour area. They want people to know they are ‘fully committed to restoring this wonderful site to its former glory’ with a focus on its old working past.

Among ideas being proposed is the creation of a heritage centre dedicated to a port that helped roof the world. The harbour’s dry dock could also be brought back into use, with the offer of boatyard services. There are also early plans to reopen the La Marina restaurant as a social hub for berth holders and locals.

“The site has become run down,” says Rob Bennett, a fellow director and berth holder. “In recent years the harbour has suffered from under-investment and has deteriorated significantly. We’re aiming to make it look beautiful again while involving the local community.”

The harbour’s dock system and buildings were built in 1763 by the Assheton Smith family, owners of the Faenol Estate. They needed a port to ship slate from Dinorwic Quarry, which later became the world’s second-largest slate mine.

Slate was brought to the quay by the narrowgauge Dinorwic Railway, later replaced by the Padarn Railway. The new owners of the port plan to celebrate all these elements in the harbour’s restoration.

They also plan to offer boat repair facilities to preserve traditional skills. However, they admitted that ‘major investment’ will be needed just to rebuild basic operations, including the two harbour gates, both of which have seen better days.

“After decades of deterioration, water leakage from the lock gates is now severe,” says Andrew Barton, a third director who works alongside Rob at his furniture and cabinet makers business. The fourth director is Charles Cogger, a berth holder from Flintshire.

The consortium is already actioning interim improvements to address berth holder concerns. A drive shaft and drum were repaired 14 months ago, but much more remedial work on both gates is needed. The new owners intend to start the process at the end of 2024.

Due diligence also revealed the need to restore a lifting bridge at the harbour which provides a critical link between Port Dinorwic and local homes.

Mr Barton says: “Over the years, its deterioration has caused much controversy and concern. The consortium is committed to engaging with the local residents’ association and has expressed a desire to repair and develop the bridge to its heritage state.”

Buildings on the harbour are rented by local businesses, and for years, the La Marina restaurant had been a focal point for berth holders and the local community. With the restaurant now empty, the consortium plans to reopen the building as a harbour social area.

Mr Barton explains: “Plans are still in their infancy, but key to the port’s success is the collectivism of all parties to support and develop our facilities. Through the social area, we can give berth holders and locals a platform to communicate, socialise and create an even greater bond.”

The team at the port will keep their jobs. They had problems with pay before, but now, thanks to a crowdfunding page set up by berth owners, they’re back on track and ready for the new plans.

“The consortium could have been facing a more serious set of problems,” Mr Barton notes. “But the unrelenting commitment of the staff, including Kevin, Sharon, John and Barry, ensured the marina’s day-to-day functionality was retained.”

Menter Felinheli is planning a community meeting to talk about using the money it raised for different local projects. People can also ask for their money back if they want.

The Waterside Consortium said it was committed to investing in Port Dinorwic’s future.

The group adds: “Our vision can only be achieved through the continued support and dedication of staff, berth holders and our local community. We are all positive, excited and driven to make this work for all.”