Ferry News Archive
Condor Ferries staying at Weymouth
Date: 02 Jun 2008 00:00 Source: thisisdorset.netCondor Ferries has 'no intention' of leaving Weymouth, its managing director insisted today.
David Harbord was responding after council chiefs warned the town could be hit if Condor, one of the harbour's key players, pulls out of town.
Conscious of the falling numbers of visitors to the harbour and a need to boost income, officers from Weymouth and Portland Borough Council have drawn up a blueprint for the future that considers options such as a floating casino or restaurant.
A report to the harbour management committee goes on to highlight the potential loss of Condor Ferries - which has been put up for sale by its parent company - and claims it would have a serious impact on the economy with the loss of many jobs.
But Mr Harbord said: "We have no intention of withdrawing from Weymouth or ceasing our operations.
"We intend to be here for many years to come.
"There have been rumours about the potential sale of Condor Ferries and I'm not prepared to comment on them.
"But the fact is that Condor Ferries is here and will be here for many years. I want to reassure people of that."
He added: "We operate from Weymouth, Poole and Portsmouth. Weymouth is one of our fast-ferry routes and it's a great location for us. It's ideal because Weymouth is the nearest (mainland British) port to the Channel Islands."
Mayor of Weymouth and Portland and harbour management committee member Tim Munro said Mr Harbord's statement was 'encouraging'.
But he added: "It's what directors say about football managers. They have every confidence in them, then the next week they're out."
Coun Munro said the council had a good relationship with Condor Ferries but he warned the council had to be 'pragmatic' and plan for 'risks'.
He said: "If you look back in history there wasn't exactly a queue of ferry operators waiting to come in and run out of Weymouth.
"The report is to do with managing risk and what is likely to happen.
"There's nothing sinister about the report, it's a management tool considering all possibilities.
"If Condor does go it would leave a hole which may not be as big as people imagine. The site would be available and that would have huge implications for the Pavilion area."
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