20 December 2010

Costain takes to the water - or at least, the water’s edge - next month when it mounts a presence at the London Boat Show, which starts on January 7, 2011.

A team will be heading to the ExCeL Centre in the capital’s Docklands to present the attractions of the Alcaidesa Marina to thousands of members of the UK’s yachting community.

The marina, located at La Linea, Spain, immediately adjacent to Gibraltar, opened for business in the summer. The Boat Show presents a great opportunity to bring it to the attention of the sailors and enthusiasts flocking to the 10-day event, says Graduate QS, William Waller, currently on secondment to Group Property.

"It represents a good opportunity to fill as many berths as possible or create long-term rentals. On top of that, we just want to raise awareness of the product," he says. Its position at the Mediterranean’s gateway to the Atlantic gives it a major boost in terms of attracting trade. Its modern facilities, including wider berths able to handle modern, larger vessels plus wi-fi connections at every berth (with television connections also available at some) will also play a role in enticing traffic.

As well as attracting potential users, he hopes the show will also attract commercial investors who may want to set up operations, such as cafes or other facilities, at Alcaidesa.

Around 100 of the 624 water berths have been occupied - some permanently, others by transiting craft - since Alcaidesa Marina opened for business in the summer. The next phase of development, a dry dock and repair yard with travel lift, will add a further 176 berths and should be completed by May 2011.

These attractions will be further selling points, says Waller, as few marinas in the region have such facilities.

 

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