•••• This is a Statement from Sherborne Wharf Limited ••••

Sherborne Wharf Ltd deeply regrets the impact our sudden cessation of trading is having on the people who live on their boats at Sherborne Wharf. 

We are a small family run business, and we are genuinely sorry for the hardship and distress this is causing our customers. The full picture must be understood. Sherborne Wharf is not the freeholder of the land — we are ourselves a tenant of the Canal and River Trust. 

Without warning or prior engagement, we were presented on the 8th January 2026 with a backdated rent demand covering seven years of annual rent reviews that the Canal & River Trust had failed to carry out. 

These reviews are the responsibility of Canal and River Trust to complete annually. 

We wanted to find a way forward that protected our tenants; however, this has not been possible and we have sadly had to close the business. 

By choosing to both pursue six years of its own unconducted reviews cumulatively and retrospectively, including two years of COVID when the business had limited income, and to involve lawyers - the Canal and River Trust has demanded a sum no small business could reasonably absorb. 

As a direct consequence of the Canal and River Trust's conduct, Sherborne Wharf has been unable to continue trading and is now seeking advice from licensed insolvency practitioners. 

We deeply regret that this has cascaded down to the people who depend on our services. The ultimate responsibility however, lies with the Canal and River Trust, which inexplicably chose to enforce six years of reviews in a single demand, when aware of the inevitable impact on our customers.

Please be aware that the Hockley Port Dry Dock and Heritage Narrowboats are separate companies from Sherborne Wharf.

Where can I get a pump out near Birmingham?

Professional Boatyards

  1. Lyons Boatyard (Stratford Canal, Solihull) – Open & Functional. 

    Highly recommended; full-service yard with a dedicated machine and staff.

    0121 474 4977

    https://lyonsboatyard.co.uk/

  2. Alvechurch Marina (Worcester & Birmingham Canal) – Open & Functional. 

    Large ABC Leisure hub; very reliable multiple machines.

    0121 445 1133

    https://everythingcanalboats.com/locations/alvechurch-marina

  3. Streethay Wharf (Coventry Canal, Lichfield) – Open & Functional. 

    Excellent professional yard; machine is well-maintained.

    01543 414808

    https://streethaywharf.co.uk/

  4. Wootton Wawen (Anglo Welsh) (Stratford Canal) – Open & Functional. 

    Large hire base; machine is rarely out of service.

    01564 793427

    https://www.anglowelsh.co.uk/our-locations/wootton-wawen

  5. Kings Orchard Marina (Coventry Canal) – Open & Functional. 

    Modern marina north of Lichfield; machine is very easy to access.

    01543 433608

    https://www.kingsorchardmarina.co.uk/

Central & Black Country (Within 10-12 miles)

  1. Hawne Basin (Coombeswood Canal Trust) – Open. 

    Note: Run by a trust; check their "Boater’s Hub" for tokens.

    0121 550 1355

    http://hawnebasin.org.uk/

  2. Black Country Living Museum / Tipton – Functional. 

    Public CRT machine located at the visitor moorings near the museum.

    0303 040 4040

    https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/

  3. Netherton / Windmill End – Functional. 

    Standard CRT self-service machine (requires a pump-out card).

    0303 040 4040

    https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/

  4. Ocker Hill (Tipton) – Functional. 

    CRT service yard; public access is available, but the machine can be busy with CRT work-boats.

    0303 040 4040

    https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/

  5. Tardebigge (Anglo Welsh) – Open. 

    Located at the top of the flight. Reliable hire base facility.

    01527 873898

    https://www.anglowelsh.co.uk/our-locations/tardebigge

Heading North / East (Fazeley & Fradley)

  1. Fazeley Mill Marina – Open. 

    Full marina services; machine is accessible to visitors.

    01827 284347

    http://www.fazeleymillmarina.co.uk/

  2. ABC Leisure Fazeley – Open. 

    Located near Fazeley Junction; convenient for those avoiding the city.

    01827 251543

    https://everythingcanalboats.com/locations/fazeley-marina

  3. Echoes Marina (Bodymoor Heath) – Open. 

    Near Kingsbury Water Park; standard marina pump-out.

    01827 873100

    https://www.echoesmarina.co.uk/

  4. Curdworth (Dog & Doublet Wharf) – Functional. 

    CRT service point; standard self-service.

    0303 040 4040

    https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/

  5. Fradley Marine (Fradley Junction) – Open. 

    Busy stop; machine is functional but can have a queue during peak hours.

    01283 790445

    https://www.fradleymarine.com/

Heading South / West (Stourport & Worcester)

  1. Autherley Junction (Anglo Welsh) – Open. 

    Major junction base; very reliable.

    01902 754352

    https://www.anglowelsh.co.uk/our-locations/autherley-junction

  2. Gailey Wharf – Open. 

    North of Wolverhampton on the Staffs & Worcs; iconic roundhouse wharf.

    01902 790616

    https://www.jdboats.co.uk/

  3. Penkridge (Lyne Hill Marina) – Open. 

    North of Gailey; good alternative if Fradley is busy.

    01785 714246

    https://www.lynehillmarina.co.uk/

  4. Stourport Marinas (York Street) – Open. 

    Several marinas here near the basins; very reliable.

    01299 827082

    https://www.tingdene-marinas.co.uk/marinas/stourport-marina/

  5. Barton Marina – Open. 

    Further east on the Trent & Mersey; high-end facility.

    01283 711666

    https://www.bartonmarina.co.uk/