howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
13 November 2008
20:389154#1
sad to hear that they have gone into administration, that is all the staff and crew need in the run up to christmas.
i think that the final straw was the harbour board chasing them for dosh, on top of the boulogne problem.
i had 3 good days out in boulogne thanks to them. all their sailings were fully booked, just unlucky for them that the economic downturn came in when it did.
13 November 2008
21:249155#2
And that the French kidnapped the vessel the day before they wqere due to meet and talk it through...........
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
13 November 2008
21:379157#3
they are pretty good at taking hostages over there, i was one for 12 hours.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
14 November 2008
07:519165#4
I think it is a very sad day and a big loss for Dover, especially the unemployment situation.
Boulogne will suffer hugely with this too - I wonder if the Port of Bloulogne and DHB had thought this through - enough and the consequences.
Seemed a bit premature to do it just before talks were underway, so it was probably done on purpose to bring Speedferries down.
Mind you £800,000 is a lot of money to owe, a lot to pay back and carry on operating with low fares.
No one can continue in business if it costs more to carry people across, than the revenue you're getting in from the tickes sales.
Roger
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
14 November 2008
09:559174#5
Roger Boulogne wont suffer too much as the new LD Lines ship is coming next July and should prove an even better way of getting there. See below...a rather sad and weatherbeaten looking craft languishing forlornly in Dover Harbour only a few weeks ago.
Guest 653- Registered: 13 Mar 2008
- Posts: 10,540
14 November 2008
19:139212#6
Thanks Paul - but the businesses in Boulogne rely on the Brits for shopping, drinking and dining and July is a long way away.
Roger
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
14 November 2008
20:399234#7
good point roger, i usually go across during december to calais as their lights and decorations are superb.
this year i was planning a day out in boulogne, i wonder how many more people were doing the same.
a lot of money has been spent on the infrastructure there, including an aquarium, which is a day out on it's own.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
14 November 2008
23:079241#8
howard if you want to go to boulogne,take the early ferry to calias jump of the bus at the train station and a return ticket to there.there is some nice seanery on the way down to look at.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
14 November 2008
23:479243#9
thanks for that brian, but not the same as getting off the speedferries vessel right close to the town centre.
Brian Dixon- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
15 November 2008
08:059249#10
thats ok howard just thought i would let you know you could still get there.
email: dover7@msn.com