Black Prince quits London

BLACK Prince, the only hire boat operator within the M25, will no longer offer holidays in the London, writes Allan Richards.

It has already moved its fleet from Willowtree Marina on the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal in West London.

Olympic games

Black Prince commenced its London based operation with six narrowboats in 2011. Later that year, it was announced that all six boats based at Willow Tree were fully booked for the 2012 Olympic Games and beyond.

However, a few days ago, it announced that it would not be offering holidays from the West London base for 2016 with several reasons given for the decision.

Age of fleet

It cites difficulties with maintenance support in the London area and challenges with mooring and congestion, which are understandable.

Less understandable is a third reason—the age of its fleet. In the past, Black Prince have operated a business model whereby it sells off narrowboats after four years service thus attracting a high sales value and avoiding age related maintenance costs. but now keeping them longer.

PLA guidance

A fourth reason given is inability to navigate the Lower Tidal Thames (Brentford downstream) due to new guidance given by the Port of London Authority in the area of licensing and structural build. (The ban on hire boats using the Thames between Teddington and Brentford, was lifted in May this year following discussions between the trade and PLA, but not downstream from Brentford.)

The most southerly major hire company operating on the Grand Union is now believed to be Wyvern at Leighton Buzzard.