Organisers of a community initiative campaign to buy a marina in North Wales have discovered their application was unsuccessful.
Menter Felinheli heard at the weekend that a letter has been sent by the marina manager to boat owners on site saying that a proposal by the Waterside Consortium group from Cheshire had been accepted for the site.
The community venture will now arrange a pubic meeting in the village to give investors the opportunity to ask questions, to offer suggestions for other projects in the village, and to explain the way forward.
The venture is appealing to the hundreds of people who have contributed towards the “bold” proposal to retain their investment in the enterprise while they develop alternative plans for investment in the village.
And despite the failure, they say their proposal has inspired a number of similar initiatives across Wales – causing many to consider ambitious proposals in their areas.
The marina site in Felinheli has been in receivership since the company that owned it, as well as four others, went bankrupt in June 2023.
Menter Felinheli submitted their offer to buy the site in September – the first such offer for a marina in England and Wales – and a fundraising campaign attracted £127,000 in investments.
They hoped the money raised by 386 different investors, along with grants and loans, could put the historic site in the hands of the community for the first time.
Huw Watkins, one of the project leaders, said: “We’re terribly disappointed, of course. Community ownership of the marina would have been an incredible asset to the village.
“All proceeds from the site would have been used for the benefit of the community – but everyone involved with the campaign can be extremely proud of the work they have done.
“We can also be satisfied that we put forward a fair and reasonable offer for the site.”
Another of the venture’s leaders, Gwyn Roberts, said: “It’s encouraging that many other initiatives up and down the country are looking at what we did and asking how they can also be bolder.
“So, although we didn’t succeed this time, it’s heartening that our campaign can be a springboard for communities across Wales to be more ambitious and look again at what out they achieve in their areas.”
Another campaign organiser, Tudur Owen, stressed that a bright future remains ahead of the venture and they have already started looking at other options to bring more prosperity to the area.
He said: “We didn’t form the venture purely to buy the marina. Our intention from the outset was to create and promote local projects that would benefit the village, and that remains our intention.
“The marina is gone now, but we’re already thinking about what else we can do here. Community initiatives across Wales have developed all sorts of exciting schemes to improve their areas – and that’s what we’ll do too.
“Buying the marina would have been a great first step for the initiative – but now we have to think of other options and that’s what we’re doing. If anyone has ideas for us to consider, please get in touch.”
Alun Meirion, the initiative’s fourth director, said: “Good luck to the new owners in their efforts to run the business in a very important site for the village.
“Thank you so much to everyone who has supported us. From individuals who have contributed scarce pounds to Gwynedd Council who approved a million pound loan for us, we have been inspired by all the support.
“And while we will not now be buying the marina, the money will be used for other worthwhile purposes in the area.”
