Speedferries RIP

[jimbo65]

Bad news for all cheap channel crossings, Speedferries is in administration, but what a great
idea, it's for sale anyone?

[mybrainhurts]

Yes, I'd love to buy a ferry that makes no money...

Where do I sign...?

[jimbo65]

You could charge more than £25 then it might work!

[jimbo65]

I think alot of people here used it, so maybe someone will feel sad! I have e-mailed
to find out buy out costs, could be fun!

[tomTVR]

mybrainhurts said:

Yes, I'd love to buy a ferry that makes no money...

Where do I sign...?

[anonymous-user]

A damn shame, a real loss. They offered fantastic value and the service was great too. It was great to see a little guy take on the big cross channel operators and try to break the cartel. Very sad news for consumers.

[jimbo65]

I agree, looks like a good oppotunity to me, bank manager may nit think so

[ATG]

Bugger. Cheap, quick, fairly reliable and I preferred Boulogne to Calais. I used them quite a few times when I was shuttling between Paris and the UK.

[jimbo65]

Seriously looking at buying them, give me ideas to improve and make money

[Glosphil]

Sorry to hear this. I've used them meany times with no problem except for the occassion crossing being late, but never more than a few minutes.

They seem to have sold a far number of single and multi-crossing advanced tickets so some people are going to lose money.

[Famous Graham]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[Baby Huey]

IIRC they don't sell cigarettes and tobacco on board?

This can't have helped their profits.

[Kinky]

Surely they would have looked at any profit-making options already?

I'm not sure what extra a lone PHer (or gaggle of) would bring?

[hornetrider]

Kinky said:

I'm not sure what extra a lone PHer (or gaggle of) would bring?

PH stickers for the side of the ferry? The promise of handbrake turns in the harbour?

[Kinky]

hornetrider said:

handbrake turns in the harbour?

Now we're talking

[markmullen]

Kinky said:

I'm not sure what extra a lone PHer (or gaggle of) would bring?

Low angle ramps for embarking sports cars

Classic grand prix and motoring films on the ship's cinema

A race style gantry for boarding and a race to the ramp.

[ATG]

Kinky said:

Surely they would have looked at any profit-making options already?

I'm not sure what extra a lone PHer (or gaggle of) would bring?

Depends what has forced them into liquidation. For example, if the business was basically viable in terms of running costs and income, but was crushed under a burden of debt the current owners could no longer refinance, then a new owner might be able to make a go of the business as that debt would be written off.

[Baby Huey]

ATG said:

Kinky said:

Surely they would have looked at any profit-making options already?

I'm not sure what extra a lone PHer (or gaggle of) would bring?

Depends what has forced them into liquidation. For example, if the business was basically viable in terms of running costs and income, but was crushed under a burden of debt the current owners could no longer refinance, then a new owner might be able to make a go of the business as that debt would be written off.

I'd imagine the ludicrous cost of fuel hasn't helped over the last few months.

Edited by Baby Huey on Sunday 16th November 12:30

[Ahonen]

markmullen said:

Kinky said:

I'm not sure what extra a lone PHer (or gaggle of) would bring?

Low angle ramps for embarking sports cars

Classic grand prix and motoring films on the ship's cinema

A race style gantry for boarding and a race to the ramp.

And all the staff dressed like MotoGP grid girls.

[Tom_C76]

Baby Huey said:

IIRC they don't sell cigarettes and tobacco on board?

This can't have helped their profits.

In theory they sold fags, but last time I was on it they had run out. Likewise the duty free shop shelves were pretty bare. All pointed to a lack of funds to buy stock, and this was in July after Classic Le Mans.

Only place they weren't allowed to sell fags was in the cafe on the dockside in Boulogne due to the french Tabac laws.

TC