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Last month for Foyle Ferry?

Posted Friday, December 4, 2009

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Foyle Ferry

When the Foyle Ferry was in trouble a few months back they looked to Limavady Council and Donegal Council for help financially to carry on.

Limavady Council said they would help - Donegal Council said they wouldn't.

However, they were given a wink and a nod to carry on till December with the hope that something could be done for next year.

Grant

The Ferry used to get a grant but that was taken away when it was up and running well as it was thought that it could stand on its own two feet.

And it could - during normal or boom times.

However, as everyone knows the chill winds of recession have hit hard.

Last year they lost around €50,000.

This year it could be €250,000.

Need Help

They can't carry on like that without help - at least till the recovery comes.

However, the tender period is up this month - and there is nothing to say, as yet, that it will be renewed.

Even if it is, there is nothing to say the Ferry company could afford to keep on running.

Most businesses can't cope with a quarter of a million loss annually for too long.

Blow

It would be a terrible blow to Moville and Greencastle if it went.

It has carried 2 million passengers in its 7 years of operation.

That's around 300,00 a year or 6,000 a week.

If all that was to be stopped it would be a devastating blow to the business in Moville, the restaurants, hotels, guest houses and pubs.

Things have been abbad enough and are about to get worse with the coming budget.

However, if the ferry goes it could be game, set and match for some of Moville's businesses.

When will the cavalry arrive?