The company that owns a marina near Huntingdon has written to residents and boat owners informing them their fees will increase – by over 80 per cent in some cases.
Tingdene Marinas and Boat Sales sent out the letters earlier this month to say the new prices for Hartford Marina will take effect from April 1.
Those who use the marina – some angry about the short notice of the changes – are holding a meeting to discuss the issue on Sunday (March 26) at the Memorial Hall, in Houghton. It will begin at midday.
Fiona Tyndall will be among those attending. Her “mooring fees” for a mobile home at the marina are going up from £383 a month to £665 - a 74 per cent increase.
Fiona said: “The scale of the increase is shocking, and with very little warning. This far exceeds the rate of inflation.
“There was no consultation nor negotiation with residents and boat owners. It’s expected these new fees will be paid from next month.
“Many of the people who live here are pensioners who want to spend a portion of their retirement in this beautiful and tranquil place.
“It’s not fair to see people who have lived here for up to 20 years being treated like this.”
Hartford Marina is made up of boat moorings, unusual floating mobile homes and lodges.
Fiona estimates the price rises of between 17 and 83 per cent might affect around 200 people who use the marina in some capacity.
She added: “Clearly these kinds of price rises may have an impact on some people’s ability to afford to live here. Therefore, there's a possibility they will be forced to leave the marina.
“A lot of maintenance work is well overdue, and these price increases are intimidation tactics to make some move on.
“Sunday’s meeting will be a chance for those affected to get together on neutral ground, to discuss the issue and a way forward.”
Tingdene Marinas and Boat Sales declined to comment.
A letter seen by The Hunts Post from Tingdene explains the increase is to bring the houseboat mooring rates in line with the mooring rates for boats.
After outlining the increase, it says: “We appreciate this represents a substantial increase.”
The recipient was then offered a 15 per cent discount on the new price until the end of March 2024 if “a regular monthly direct debit payment” is put in place.
- The meeting will take place on Sunday (March 26) at the Memorial Hall, in Houghton, PE28 2BJ. It will begin at midday.
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