Premier Marinas Limited has completed the purchase of Universal Marina located on the River Hamble. The marina was purchased for an undisclosed sum.
Set in tranquil surroundings on the east bank of the River Hamble, close to Premier’s Swanwick Marina, Universal Marina provides 240 walk ashore marina pontoon berths, a 130 boat dry stack facility and a full-service boatyard, including a 75 tonne travel hoist. The site is also home to an onsite cafe and restaurant and a thriving tenant community with around 30 marine and non-marine commercial tenants housed in approximately 68,000 square feet of commercial buildings.
Premier Marinas owns and operates 9 prestigious marinas on the South Coast and has an enviable track record of investing in its sites whilst preserving their marine character and the natural environment that surrounds them. Current projects include the multi-million pound regeneration of Noss on Dart and the high-anticipated Sales Pavilion development at Swanwick.
Pete Bradshaw, CEO of Premier Marinas commented: “We are delighted with the purchase of Universal Marina and are looking forward to integrating the site into the Premier Marinas group. Universal Marina complements our existing portfolio and adds to our already successful operation at Swanwick Marina. We take a long term approach to the ownership of our marinas and have the experience and investment capacity to further enhance this site.”
Avia Willmet, the previous owner of Universal Marina will step down from her role as Managing Director and long-serving General Manager at Premier, Graham Bristowe will manage the newly named ‘Premier Universal Marina’ alongside Premier’s Swanwick site.
Established in 1994, Premier Marinas owns and operates marinas based in Sovereign Harbour (Eastbourne) Brighton, Chichester, Southsea, Port Solent, Gosport, Swanwick, Noss on Dart and Falmouth in Cornwall. With over 5,000 berths combined, Premier Marina aims to be the finest marina operator in the UK, providing first-class boat storage services and quality boatyard facilities at all its marinas. With the addition of Universal Marina, Premier adds to its foothold in the Solent and provides more opportunity for boaters to explore the best cruising destinations the area has to offer. Premier Marinas Limited is owned by the Wellcome Trust.