WORLD NEWS Luxury offerings at new-look marina UK: The redesign project at MDL Marinas’ Ocean Village in Southampton is now complete. Notable innovations include new pontoons that link to a luxury spa hotel complex, a floating dock office and Platinum Package benefits. At the edge of Southampton Water, with easy access to the Solent, Ocean Village’s basin was previously used by commercial ships and has the benefit of being the only marina in the area able to accommodate superyachts. This factor has undoubtedly been a driving force for decisions to upgrade the facility to an entirely new level. “Ocean Village Marina is one of a kind on the south coast,” says Adrien Burnand, MDL head of marketing. “Visitors are immediately encased in a world of luxury whether they’re accessing the five-star facilities at Harbour Hotel straight from the pontoon, one of the many restaurants nestled alongside, or checking out new and classic releases at the on-site cinema.” Key to the offering is the Platinum Package, which effectively turns boats into extended five-star hotel bedrooms with VIP room service (including fresh bed linen and interior cleaning), hotel to boat wine and champagne delivery, complimentary upgrades on hotel room bookings and use of the five-star gym and spa. “We’re delighted with the transformation of Ocean Village Marina,” Burnand continues. “We’ve been working on the project for quite a while and it’s wonderful to see all of the hard work pay off. This is a mixed leisure, commercial and residential development and MDL is delighted to have led the project to such a successful outcome. We’ll have stunning silver and black signage installed in the next few weeks, and other work will continue until 2020.” Plans approved for Noss on Dart UK: Premier Marinas has been granted planning permission for the redevelopment of Noss on Dart Marina in Devon and plans to invest £75 million in the site. Noss on Dart was acquired by Premier in 2016 and comprises 37 acres (15ha) of foreshore and woodland set on the banks of the River Dart, just below Kingswear and opposite Dartmouth. The site was formerly a shipyard but has operated as a marina and boatyard since shipbuilding ceased in the late 1990s. Much of the site is currently derelict and the existing marina infrastructure is in a poor state. Premier plans to create a waterfront hub with a new marina of around 232 berths; a drystack for 100 smaller motor boats; a boatyard with a 75-tonne boat hoist; 21 marine trade commercial units; a 50-room hotel with two restaurants and a spa; new car parking arrangements; and a Heritage Centre to celebrate the site’s history. A passenger ferry link to Dartmouth town centre, for access to shops, restaurants and places of historic interest will also be established. Demolition of the site’s many derelict buildings has commenced, and work on the replacement boatyard, car park and commercial buildings will follow. Renewal of the floating marina is scheduled to begin in the winter of 2019/20. www.marinaworld.com - November/December2018 13
