Macclesfield Canal Centre

Marilyn and Ged Layfield originally came to Macclesfield Canal Centre with their first narrow boat Anastasia in 1995. Their current boat Jigsaw was built at the marina by Tim Tyler a few years later and their plan at that time was to fit out and then go continuous cruising in the UK for a few years before shipping the boat out to France.

Having fallen in love with the Inland Waterways in the early eighties, they often wondered what it would be like to leave the rat race and run a small marina. The opportunity came along in 1999 and they seized it. It didn't take them long to discover how much harder it is working for yourself - but with that came boat-loads of job-satisfaction.

When they first took it on, the business was ailing and had declined to little more than the provision of moorings but within two years a small but progressive chandlery was established and a lot of abandoned boats were removed from the site. Not least of which was a 43-foot concrete yacht, which had been passed around a number of owners, all of whom abandoned ship before anything was done to fit her out. By that time, the boat was beyond any economic prospect of being fitted out for sea and finally had to be broken up and disposed of.

Today the marina is a thriving concern with 4* visit Britain accredited hire boats and a 38 seat trip/restaurant boat, a good chandlery, repair & maintenance services, fantastic moorers and a newly established hire boat company Freedom Boats offering day and weekly hire. Marilyn and Ged, supported by their marina manager Robin Porter and a great team offer any visitors to the marina, a warm and friendly welcome with a commitment to provide you with a first class service, whatever your needs.

We offer:

• Boat sales
• Boat hire
• Moorings

Services for your boat

• Chandlery