Thorn Marine Covid-19 (corona virus) June 2020

Conronavirus is going to have a massive impact on all small businesses

We believe that the impact of COVID-19 is the biggest threat to our business in the 28 years we have been running Thorn Marine.  We also believe the sectors that are going to be hit the hardest are retail, leisure and travel.  These are our main areas of business!!!

A lot of things have Changed since our last update in April.

Below we have detailed what we are currently doing with in each area of our business.

This page was updated 5th June 2020

Day Boat Hire

The Day boat can now go out!

Social distancing at its best what better way than cruising down the middle of the canal!  However groups are limited to members of the same household and those within your family bubble. We have had several cancellations due to the face it was groups of people so we do still have availability throughout the summer.

We will be contacting all the people who have bookings for the next few months to see what they want to do and can either moved them to a new date or refunded them, this will be on a rolling program as things change frequently.  We have taken the unusual step of opening up next years diary so we can move your booking to 2021, this is only for existing booking.  If you wish to contact us to reschedule the please call us on 01925 265129.

In the 23 years Thorn Marine have operated a Day boat we have never seen anything like this before, even during foot and mouth and CJD!

Dayboat hire Bridgewater canal Warrington Cheshire
Cheshire Cat hire boat thorn marine warrington

Short Break Hire (overnight boat hire)

Overnight hire, hopefully from, July.

Hire boats that you sleep over night on are still not allowed to operate!  We believe that is restriction will be lifted on 4th July along with B&B's, Hotels, Caravan Parks, etc.  It is highly likely that initially it will be restricted to members of the same household!

If you have boat booked with Thorn Marine we will contact you as and when we have more information, we will either reschedule you trip for later in the year or next year, or we can cancel and refund your deposit.  If you wish to contact us to reschedule the please call us on 01925 265129.

We have launched a no deposit booking scheme for and new bookings, this allows you to book with confidence and you will be able to cancel at any point up to 14 days before hire, see here for more information.

Shop, Boat Safety Scheme and Maintenance

Back open 7 Days!

Again let me assure you your welfare is our priority, we have updated our cleaning policies and are regularly sanitising all contact points, door handles, card machine, worktops, etc

The shop now back open 7 Days a week. We will monitor this and comply with any government advice.  We believe diesel, coal, water, gas, pump out, elsan, etc have and are all essential supplies and services.  We are still getting supplies from all our suppliers and can order any special items in for you.

The Thorn Marine phone number has been on divert to Nigel's mobile whilst we have been closed this will now return to normal from this week.

Boat Safety Scheme back open!

Boat Safety Scheme Certificates was temporarily suspended but we a re now back doing them, if yours has lapsed you have until 31st July 2020 to get it done.  If your BSSC is due, please get in touch with us NOW as we are trying to get through the waiting list but more are added every day, we will add you to the list and get to you as soon as we can.  PLEASE read the following from the Boat Safety Scheme office as to the best practice during these difficult times;

http://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/boat-examination-and-certification/arranging-the-examination/preparing-for-examination/covid-19-bss-examinations/

Repairs and Maintenance

It is very much business as usual, we are booking in boats for maintenance and blacking so if you need work to be done please contact us.

Also if you are stuck or need supplies, etc then please get in touch and we will do what we can to help!

Solid fuel Warrington
Patio gas Warrington Cheshire

BBQ gas, LPG

No new BBQ gas sales, plenty of exchanges

We have been inundated with new LPG BBQ gas customers, Thank you.  Unfortunately our supplier has run out of new bottles, so we are unable to supply any new bottles we have exchange bottles in stock, but need to maintain this supply.  A new shipment of bottles was ordered in April and are due to be shipped any time now and be with our supplier by the middle of June.

The cost of the new bottles has increased and therefor what our supplier charges us, so we have had no choice to increase the bottle charge to £30.

Just a final word from us

Thanks for your help and understanding during these difficult times, the customers we have seen have been most supportive and we wouldn’t be hear with out you, as and when we know more we will update the site and Facebook, if you are unsure about anything, please give us a call and we will see what we can sort for you.

All the above is based on the latest information we can find,  there is a severe lack of it for our industry and it can change weekly! Please remember if the Virus starts to spread again restrictions could be reinstated.  We are a small Family run business without the huge turnovers and credit facilities of the larger higher companies and retail shops.  Wherever you shop, for whatever please try to shop local and support small businesses, it will have a dramatic effect on there families.

Please keep up to date and see the latest statements below form Canal and river trust and The Bridgewater Canal Co.

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/safety-on-our-waterways/coronavirus

http://www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/news/article.aspx?ID=288

Keep Safe and Well

Margaret, Brian, Nigel and Dan

Thorn Marine

Thorn Marine Covid-19 (corona virus) latest APRIL 2020 (updated)

Conronavirus is going to have a massive impact on all small businesses

We believe that the impact of COVID-19 is the biggest threat to our business in the 28 years we have been running Thorn Marine.  We also believe the sectors that are going to be hit the hardest are retail, leisure and travel.  These are our main areas of business!!!

Below we have detailed what we are currently doing with in each area of our business.

This page was updated 4th April 2020

Day boat Hire

With the current movement restrictions in place all non essential travel is banned this also applies to canals, whilst this order is in place we have no option but to cancel all Day Boat trips. We have contacted all the people who have bookings for April and have either moved them to a new date or refunded them.  We have taken the unusual step of opening up next years diary so we can move you bookings to 2021, this is only for existing booking.  If you have boat booked in May we will contact you when we know how long these restrictions are going to be in place for, again we will either reschedule you trip for later in the year or next year, or we can cancel and refund your deposit.  If you wish to contact us to reschedule the please call us on 01925 265129.

Dayboat hire Bridgewater canal Warrington Cheshire
Cheshire Cat hire boat thorn marine warrington

Short Break Hire

It is really the same situation with hire boats as it is with the day boat.

With the current movement restrictions in place all non essential travel is banned this also applies to canals, whilst this order is in place we have no option but to cancel all Day Boat trips. We have contacted all the people who have bookings for April and have either moved them to a new date or refunded them.  We have taken the unusual step of opening up next years diary so we can move you bookings to 2021, this is only for existing booking.  If you have boat booked in May we will contact you when we know how long these restrictions are going to be in place for, again we will either reschedule you trip for later in the year or next year, or we can cancel and refund your deposit.  If you wish to contact us to reschedule the please call us on 01925 265129.

We will be launching a no deposit booking scheme for later in the year soon, this will allow you to book with confidence and you will be able to cancel at any point upto 7 days before hire, more details will follow soon.

Shop, Boat Safety Certificates and Maintenance

Again let me assure you your welfare is our priority, we have updated our cleaning policies and are regularly sanitising all contact points, door handles, card machine, worktops, etc

The shop is currently only open 10am until 4pm Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. We will monitor this and comply with any government advice.  We believe diesel, coal, water, gas, pump out, elsan, etc are all essential supplies and services.  We are still getting supplies from all our suppliers and can order any special items in for you.

Boat Safety Scheme Certificates are temporarily suspended until 14th April 2020 please see the website for more information. Please make sure you read it as there is some important information on there!  If your BSSC is due in the next 3 months, please get in touch with us NOW as we already have about ten on the waiting list, we will add you to the list and get to you as soon as we can.

https://www.boatsafetyscheme.org/about-us/news-and-press-releases/news-releases/nr20-001-covid-19-bss-temporary-suspension/

We are still booking in boats for maintenance and blacking so if you need work to be done please contact us.

Also if you are stuck or need supplies, etc then please get in touch and we will do what we can to help!

 

Solid fuel Warrington

Just a final word from us

Thanks for your help and understanding with this rapidly changing situation, as and when we know more we will update the site and facebook, if you are unsure about anything, please give us a call and we will see what we can sort for you.  The phone is on divert to Nigel’s mobile 24/7.

Please remember going to or out on your boat may not be deemed as essential travel by officials see the statements below form Canal and river trust and The Bridgewater Canal Co.

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/safety-on-our-waterways/coronavirus

http://www.bridgewatercanal.co.uk/news/article.aspx?ID=281&fbclid=IwAR2suLiYc-zq2DH_pHmtKCM2d_l7TtX0fYJVf1BcVb-uaKCNB-HmYwVMhpw

Keep Safe and Well

Margaret, Brian, Nigel  and Dan

Covid-19 (corona virus) latest

Conronavirus (covid-19) is going to have a massive impact on all small businesses

We believe that the impact of COVID-19 is the biggest threat to our business in the 28 years we have been running Thorn Marine.  We also believe the sectors that are going to be hit the hardest are retail, leisure and travel.  These are our main areas of business!!!

Below we have detailed what we are currently doing with in each area of our business.

Day boat Hire

First let me assure you your welfare is our priority, we have updated our cleaning policies and the boat is now deep cleaned/disinfected inside and out after each trip.

The Government have advised to minimise social gatherings, a trip out on the dayboat is usually a social gathering. So we are leaving it up to you to decide what you want to do. If you are a family group who regularly socialise or live together then going out on the boat is no different to your every day environment. If you are a group of friends who meet infrequently or in one of the danger groups then rescheduling or cancelling might be the safest option. If you do wish to talk to us then please get in touch, we can then either reschedule your day or refund you.

Pubs and restaurants etc, we believe The barn Owl, Ye Old No3, etc are still open, this may change so it will be worth double checking with the venue if it is open, or bring a Picnic to enjoy on the boat.

Currently we are not sure how long the problem is going to last or if it is going to get worse. We will keep updating Facebook and the website as things develop!

Our normal cancellation policy is quite strict, however in this situation we are proposing that, any dayboat hire booked in for March or April you can reschedule your trip to later in the year and by the end of the week we will be offering to reschedule you to the same month next year, with out loosing your 2020 deposit or balance payments*.  We will, if there is no other option, cancel your booking and refund you, this is not the best option for us as it will dramatically effect our business this year.  We will be rolling this offer on month by month as long is the situation continues.

*(We are due a substantial license fee upgrade next year this will have to be paid as part of the balance, it is substantial to us but when we divide it up across all the hire it will probably be around a £10 per trip.)

Dayboat hire Bridgewater canal Warrington Cheshire
Cheshire Cat hire boat thorn marine warrington

Short Break Hire

Again let me assure you your welfare is our priority, we have updated our cleaning policies and the boats are now deep cleaned/disinfected inside and out after each trip.

As far as we are concerned it is business as usual, there is nothing stopping you taking a holiday on one of our boats, unless you have to self isolate.  We have spoken to all the customers who are booked in for March and April and they are all happy to continue to take there holiday.  Our canal is lock free for over 30 miles and another 13 miles with just one small lock, so isolation is easy!

Pubs and restaurants etc, we believe are still open, this may change so it will be worth double checking  if you are planning to stop off for a pub lunch, many places, we believe, will soon be offering a takeaway service.

Currently we are not sure how long the problem is going to last or if it is going to get worse. We will keep updating Facebook and the website as things develop!

We usually have strict cancellation conditions, however in this situation what we are proposing is a no quibble cancellation policy, if you need to cancel your trip in the next 2 months (rolling) due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation, be that you need to isolate, you are ill, or you are just unsure we will refund you ALL of your money.  I would however prefer if you didn’t cancel as this is going to dramatically effect our business and I would prefer if you would reschedule you holiday for later in the year!*

As a Special offer I will be up dating the system tonight from April 17th until the end of May Cheshire Cat Will have an additional 20% discount on all booking, these are included in our no quibble cancellation! policy! The owner of Cheshire Cat is usually over for her 6 week holiday during this period, unfortunately she is unable to travel due to the current restrictions, she has rescheduled for later in the year

*(The price of a break varies throughout the year and any difference will need to be paid.)

Shop, Boat Safety Certificates and Maintenance

Again let me assure you your welfare is our priority, we have updated our cleaning policies and are regularly sanitising all contact points, door handles, card machine, worktops, etc

The shop remains open 8-5, 7 days a week. We will monitor this and comply with any government advice.  We believe diesel, coal, water, gas, pumpout, elsan, etc are all essential supplies and services.  We are still getting supplies from all our suppliers and can order any special items in for you.

Boat Safety Scheme Certificates are still going ahead, we are currently waiting for an update from the Management Committee, CRT and other licencing authorities as to what the future holds, when we know more we will let you know.  Our initial advice is if you need one soon and are in a high risk group/self isolating then contact the licencing authority and your insurance asap and discuss it with them.

We still have boats coming in for maintenance and blacking so if you need work to be done please contact us.

If you do need to cancel your BSSC or work for whatever reason please let us know asap we are here to help!

Also if you are stuck or need supplies, etc then please get in touch and we will do what we can to help!

 

Solid fuel Warrington

Just a final word from us

Thanks for your help and understanding with this rapidly changing situation, as and when we know more we will update the site and facebook, if you are unsure about anything, please give us a call and we will see what we can sort for you.

Keep Safe and Well

Margaret, Brian, Nigel  and Dan