FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH

Cox’s Boatyard on the Broads was revitalised a quarter of a century ago and it hasn’t looked back

- CB

July 2020 was a momentous month for Cox’s as it marks 25 years since a consortium of eight people, one manager and a team of workers rescued the business from disrepair and potential liquidation, and began the process of transforming it into the modern, thriving Broads boatyard it is today.

The last quarter of a century has seen gradual development and expansion, to the point that today, the yard has more than 400 regular customers.

It has been a long haul to get to this place, with a huge amount of development of the site required. These have included the installation of a new shower and loo block and the design and installation of a rainwater-harvesting boat wash-down facility. The work has also included the replacement of more than half a mile of quay heading, upgrades to the car park, and the purchase of a bespokebuilt, remote-controlled boat mover and travel hoist. The most significant investment to date, however, has been the construction in 2014 of the purpose-built workshop, which has the capacity to house up to 18 boats at any one time and which has significantly improved the way the yard is able to work throughout the year.