Gillingham’s Marina and Waterfront Leisure Centre sold

Published by

Sam Pither

Gary and Rita Beckwith, a married couple who used to own river cruise company, city cruises have taken over the Waterfront Leisure Centre and Marina in Gillingham.

The purchase, for an undisclosed fee, covers two basins with a capacity of 490 boats along with the nearby leisure centre.

In a letter to berth holders at the marina, managing director Terry Gabriel wrote: "The reason for the purchase and long-term goal of the directors to improve the site as a whole but particularly, the marina area within the complex.

"We believe there is scope to develop the site to offer an improved experience for berth holders. Going forward you will slowly see alterations in areas within the site which we trust will reflect in a positive way for you all."

The sale was managed by international estate agent Savills, which put it onto the market in March of last year.

Kay Griffiths, associate director at Savills, said: "Gillingham Marina offered an exciting opportunity for investors to acquire a well-established marina.

"We received strong interest in the sale as the marina has extensive facilities and opportunities to add value and we are delighted to find an experienced leisure operator that intends to invest and develop the site further to benefit of its users."

Read more - Savills report 11% revenue increase

Sam Pither

Sam is the Regional Editor of Biz News, responsible for both Hampshire and Dorset. A new recruit to journalism, Sam started writing for the Business Magazine as a freelancer in May of 2022 after completing his degree in English at University College London. His passion for local businesses and ability to tell a story soon caught the attention of the publication’s management team and have led to his meteoric rise. Sam, who lives in central Reading, takes a particular interest in technology, gaming and food and drink, having been a chef before starting his degree.