A marina business with an operation in Suffolk is seeking stories from its past as it celebrates 50 years.
MDL - which owns Woolverstone Marina and Lodge Park on the Shotley peninsula near Ipswich - says boating and watersports have grown hugely since the pandemic.
Greater numbers of people are now visiting its 18 coastal and inland marinas in the UK, it said. It also owns one marina in Spain.
It purchased the Suffolk site in 1987 - five years after taking on its first saltwater marina – Cobb’s Quay in Poole. Woolverstone formed part of its acquisition of Rank’s Marina Group.
The site now employs eight full time staff and has 235 pontoon berths and 45 swinging moorings.
It also runs 21 holiday lodges in its 22 acres of parkland next to the River Orwell.
MDL managing director Michael Glanville - who joined the business in 2006 and took the helm in 2018 - described how the business had grown.
"MDL has seen many positive changes, acquisitions, and developments since we started in the early 1970s, as well as bearing witness to the evolution of boating itself in the UK," he said.
"We’ve been at the forefront of the changes in the boating landscape since we formed in 1973, developing our network of marinas over the years in some of the most stunning waterfront locations.
"We’re now one of the biggest operators of coastal marinas in the UK, which you might find surprising when you consider our first venture was Penton Hook Marina, miles from the sea, amid the water meadows of the Thames Valley."
The company bought its Torquay marina in 1984, followed by Port Hamble, Mercury Yacht Harbour and Northney Marina.
It expanded its network further in 1989 when civil engineering firm Dean & Dyball accepted a takeover deal and added Hythe Marina Village, Ocean Village and Shamrock Quay to its portfolio. Brixham Marina followed in 1990.
Mr Glanville said: "Since the pandemic, the popularity of boating and watersports has grown exponentially and we’re seeing an ever-increasing number of people coming to our marinas for the first time, whether it’s to go sailing, enjoy being by the water or stay at one of our waterside lodge parks."
Sustainability and care for the environment are central to its future plans as it aims to become the UK’s most sustainable marina operator, the company said.
It is keen to hear from people with a story to tell about its marinas. Contact senior marketing manager Maxine Lane at m.lane@mdlmarinas.co.uk if you would like to share a memory.
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