No Merseyside welcome for Manxman
In view of recent decisions the Manxman Trust has concluded, obviously with great regret, that the envisaged project cannot be progressed.
In March of 2007, following high-level intervention on our behalf, representatives of Manxman's owners agreed to a temporary delay in their planned scrapping of the ship at their Sunderland yard.
With financial support from the North West Development Agency an independent report indicated the viability of the restored Manxman to become a profitable operation based at Birkenhead.
Funding from Heritage Lottery requires active support of the local authorities and, from November 2006, this had been evidenced by participation of Liverpool City Council, Wirral MBC and the North West Regional Development Agency
A very well-attended public meeting in Liverpool was held in May 2007, and more recently the success of the 'Adopt a Rivet Campaign', have each demonstrated the level of support at the individual level.
However, in the background has been the unknown impact of the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company having been taken over by Peel Holdings, who have spent some time exploring their options and developing plans for major capital investment within both Liverpool and Birkenhead dock systems, which have now been published.
Regrettably, the Trust was amazed to be advised, by Peel Holdings, that "their project will undoubtedly involve some form of major visitor attraction...but certainly we would have to say that the Manxman would not be appropriate".
The local authorities have made it clear that they are unable to intervene on our behalf.
Clearly without any prospect of securing a Mersey-based berth as a permanent home, the project loses its raison d'etre and funding could never be secured in these circumstances.
In parallel with this an American organisation is developing an interest in the commercial refurbishment of Manxman to suit a totally different business plan. They have visited and inspected the ship, commissioned a further detailed hull survey and continue to develop their plans. If they proceed then our prime objective of saving this unique ship will have been met, but not in the way we had envisaged.
The Trust acknowledges the enormous help and encouragement which individuals and organisations have given to this major project, without which the wide range of major successes would not have been achieved.
Contact details:
Bill Ogle, Chairman, Manxman Steamship Company
More info on web site at: www.ssmanxman.co.uk
E-mail: info@ssmanxman.co.uk