Clarence Dock launches new moorings plan

Clarence Dock, the £250 million mixed development and home to the Royal Armouries in Leeds, is undergoing some major works to install new moorings for up to 44 boats in preparation for the re- opening of the waterspace early next year.

The waterspace will form the centrepiece of the development which is anticipated will attract 1.5 million visitors each year.

Regular waterbus service proposed

And one a prospective new tenant of the waterspace Leeds City Cruisers is proposing to introduce a regular waterbus service between the Clarence Dock and Leeds City station, providing a sustainable alternative for commuters and shoppers. The company is currently based at Hebden Bridge but is hoping to relocate and establish their new base at Clarence Dock, ready for the new boating season next Easter 2008.

Commercial, long-term and visitor moorings

Construction work is currently underway in the dock which will see pontoons lifted in during the next few weeks to create a mix of commercial, long-term and visitor moorings. Tenders are already being invited for businesses wishing to occupy one of the prime mooring slots in the city’s most exciting and newest destination.

Janet Baverstock, Business Development Manager for British Waterways, Yorkshire, said: “We are very excited about the prospect of a waterbus option for this stretch of our waterway, as it will give commuters and residents an alternative, and much more tranquil, means of travelling between Clarence Dock and the city centre.

Clarence Dock will come alive in 2008

“The apartments at Clarence Dock are already occupied and early next year a varied mix of destination leisure and retail units will be opening to the public, adding to the vitality of this popular area. We are currently in negotiations with Leeds City Cruisers and are hoping to finalise an agreement in the coming weeks.”

Simon Kidd, Commercial Lettings Director at Clarence Dock comments: “We are delighted that Leeds City Cruisers are in final negotiations to introduce a waterbus. In the Spring of next year Clarence Dock will come alive adding an extra dimension to the fabric of Leeds city centre.”

Businesses interested in details of the commercial moorings available should contact Ian Froome at Vail Williams on 0239 220 3205 or email ifroome@vailwilliams.com.