OWNERSHIP of Watchet Marina has been signed away for the next 200 years by Somerset Council.

The council has agreed a lease extension on the marina until 2225 with new operators Western Marinas, which took over last September.

The move comes as local boat owners said their confidence in the new ownership was ‘growing daily’.

It follows three controversy-strewn years with the marina run by Switzerland-based Christopher Odling-Smee’s Marine and Property Group (MPG), with which the council had been negotiating the 200-year lease despite the company being in administration.

A Western Marinas spokesperson said ‘significant strides’ in the marina’s ‘rehabilitation’ had been made in the past five months.

They said a comprehensive health and safety audit had been conducted and key priorities addressed, including installation of new fire extinguishers and smoke detectors.

The gas supply had been reinstated, a new fuel tank installed, and a full refit of pontoon electrical and water supplies was to begin shortly, following an audit.

A dredging campaign which started as soon as Western Marinas took over has so far removed around 26,000 cubic metres of sediment, with a further 7,000 to be cleared from the far end before the 2025 season begins.

The harbour’s three central pontoons were now at or below their target depth, and work was progressing to repair the marina gate.

Watchet Boat Owners Association treasurer Martin Stevens said: “The berth holders at Watchet are delighted with the progress being made in the rehabilitation of Watchet Marina by Western Marinas, whose refreshingly honest and realistic approach has been welcomed by all.

“It is true to say the company has delivered a staggeringly successful dredging campaign in a very short time without making undeliverable promises to a very sceptical audience.

“It is no exaggeration to say that confidence in Western Marinas grows daily as realistic deliverables are achieved and there is an optimism being felt by harbour users and townsfolk alike regarding the future of boating in Watchet not witnessed since the early days of marina operation some 24 years ago.

“It is now down to all of us to share our growing confidence in Western Marinas to deliver a successful marina operation in Watchet with the wider boating world and to encourage boat owners to come and sample what the town and its marina has to offer.”

Western Marinas has hosted two gatherings for berth holders, whom it said would be at the heart of the marina’s future success, the second of which included a festive Christmas boat decoration competition and a hog roast provided by local butcher Somerset Farm House and a buffet from Glenmore Bakery.

The spokesperson said: “A special mention must go to the Watchet Marina team who have been instrumental in supporting the ongoing improvement efforts and are an integral part of the future success of the marina.”

Western Marinas also took over two MPG marinas in Wales, and has completed a full electrical refit in Cardiff and has a new fuel system set to launch in Aberystwyth together with other upgrades.