ATTRIBUTION: Attributable to a spokesperson for Sherborne Wharf Limited. May be published in full. Please do not abridge without consent.
Contact: mailtosw@protonmail.com
A Message to Our Community
Sherborne Wharf was our family business for more than 35 years. Many of our customers became genuine friends over that time. It remains a source of profound sadness to see people facing hardship, uncertainty and disruption following the closure of the marina, and we are deeply sorry for the impact this has had on those affected.
Our Commitment to Those Affected
Following discussions with the company’s insolvency practitioners, Butcher Woods Ltd, members of the Wightman family have chosen to make a personal voluntary contribution to assist former mooring customers affected by the closure. This contribution is entirely separate from the insolvency estate and is being administered independently to ensure the insolvency process can continue appropriately for all creditors. We are now contacting affected individuals directly regarding this process.
Background to the Closure
The closure of Sherborne Wharf followed a dispute relating to substantial retrospective rent liabilities and the wider financial viability of the site.
Over a prolonged period, development works adjacent to the marina caused significant disruption to the operation of the business until 2024 and to the experience of customers using the site. This included periods of reduced accessibility and the loss of customer parking during construction activity.
Our understanding at the time was that the impact of those works would be taken into account in future discussions relating to rent reviews and liabilities. However, subsequent discussions regarding retrospective rent and associated sums were not resolved.
In early 2026, Sherborne Wharf Limited received a substantial demand of £134,000 relating to historic rent assessments. Efforts were made to seek clarification and explore a workable resolution, including discussions regarding payment arrangements and the wider circumstances affecting the business. Unfortunately, no agreement was reached within the timeframe available to the company.
As a result, Sherborne Wharf Limited entered insolvency proceedings.
There are a number of matters connected to these events that remain disputed or subject to ongoing review, and it would not be appropriate to comment further on those issues in detail at this stage. However, we do believe it is important that the broader context surrounding the closure is properly understood, and we intend to provide further information where appropriate once legal and insolvency processes allow.
Wider Industry Concerns
We are aware that other longstanding waterways businesses have publicly expressed concerns regarding aspects of rent assessment processes, retrospective claims, and engagement practices within the sector more generally. These are matters on which different parties hold differing views, and we recognise that they may ultimately require wider industry discussion and scrutiny.
Our Sister Businesses
Heritage Narrowboats Limited and Hockley Port Dry Dock are separate legal entities from Sherborne Wharf Limited and continue to trade independently.
We would like to thank the many customers, suppliers, staff, friends and members of the boating community who have shown kindness and support during an extremely difficult period for everyone involved.
Thank You.