What Premier Marinas does

Premier Marinas is a private UK marina operator founded in 1994 and headquartered at Swanwick Marina on the River Hamble, Southampton. The company runs 17 marina locations along the UK South Coast from Falmouth in Cornwall to Eastbourne in East Sussex, operating the largest such network in the region. It is wholly owned by Wellcome, a charitable foundation that funds global health research and provides long-term patient capital for the business. Premier reports more than 25 wholly owned subsidiaries spanning the various marina sites, Boatpoint (national boat sales), Premier Self Store, and The Salterns.

Revenue is generated predominantly from recurring annual and monthly wet-berthing contracts, supplemented by dry-stack storage (notably at Trafalgar Wharf in Portsmouth Harbour), boatyard services (lift and launch, storage ashore, Pit Stop hull maintenance, Trafalgar Shipyard and Endeavour Quay), commercial property rental from on-site tenants (chandleries, restaurants, marine businesses), and an insurance introducer commission stream via a partnership with GJW Direct (Premier Marine Insurance). Pricing is quote-based and varies by location, vessel length, and season. The GTM mix combines direct field sales at each marina, online self-serve quoting through the website, the MyPremier customer portal and Premier App, and a Refer a Client partnership scheme (15–25% commission, capped at £1,000) that engages 40+ marine brokers including Ancasta, Princess Motor Yacht Sales, and Solent Motor Yachts.

The competitive proposition centres on the Premier Advantage loyalty programme, which offers annual berth holders 42 complimentary visitor nights across the network, preferential fuel rates, and exclusive discounts, tying customers to the multi-site footprint. Underlying technology is conventional digital infrastructure: the MyPremier portal, the Premier App, swipecard gate access, CCTV, Wi-Fi with a 2 GB/day fair-use policy, and (as of 2025) a live digital depth display at Chichester Marina lock viewable via web and app. Growth since 2025 has been overwhelmingly inorganic, with the Boatfolk Marina Group acquisition completing in November 2025 and the Dart Marina Group (Dart Marina, Dart Marina Hotel, Dartmouth Higher Ferry) acquisition completing in April 2026, both funded by Wellcome. A Phase 2 Boatfolk integration covering five further sites (Conwy, Penarth, Portishead, Rhu, Royal Quays) is scheduled for autumn 2026.

Name

Premier Marinas

Legal name

Premier Marinas Ltd

Website

https://premiermarinas.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Premier Marinas is the UK's largest South Coast marina network, operating 17 locations from Falmouth to Eastbourne. Founded in 1994 and owned by Wellcome, the company provides annual berthing, dry stack, boatyard services, and marine insurance to private leisure boat owners and marine businesses.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marina Services and Boat Berthing

NAICS

Marinas (71393)

SIC

Ship & Boat Building & Repairing (3730)

akta.pro primary industry

Dry Docking & Dockyard Operations (Graving/Floating Docks, Docking Services) (TLAHAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Dry Docks & Floating Docks (Graving, Floating, Syncrolift) (IMAJALAA)

Keywords

• Marina berthing services
• Boat storage facilities
• Dry stack storage
• Boatyard maintenance services
• Marine insurance brokerage

Headquarters

HQ city

Southampton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Annual and Monthly Berthing Contracts: Recurring annual and monthly berthing fees charged to boat owners for wet berths at marina locations. Annual berthing can be paid annually or monthly. The primary recurring revenue stream.
2. Dry Stack Storage: Indoor dry stack storage services at locations such as Trafalgar Wharf (Portsmouth Harbour). Includes valet fuelling services for dry stack customers.
3. Boatyard Services: One-time and recurring services including lift and launch, storage ashore, Pit Stop package, and boatyard bookings at Endeavour Quay and Trafalgar Shipyard.
4. Commercial Properties and Onsite Tenants: Rental income from commercial tenants operating within marina sites, including marine businesses, chandleries, restaurants, and other waterfront operators.
5. Premier Marine Insurance: Premier Marinas acts as an introducer for GJW Direct marine insurance, offering exclusive benefits for berth holders through this partnership.
6. Refer a Client Commission Scheme: Marine businesses registered in the scheme earn commission (15-25% of first year berthing fees, capped at £1,000) for referring new annual berth holders.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Premier Marinas operates the largest network of marina locations on the South Coast of the United Kingdom, offering annual, monthly, seasonal and visitor berthing contracts across 17 sites from Falmouth to Eastbourne. The company sells dry stack indoor boat storage at Trafalgar Wharf (Portsmouth Harbour) and runs boatyard services through Trafalgar Shipyard and Endeavour Quay, including lift and launch, Pit Stop anti-foul packages, and storage ashore. The Premier Advantage loyalty programme, the MyPremier portal and Premier App support berth holder management.

Product overview

Premier Marinas operates the UK's largest network of South Coast marina locations, offering a comprehensive suite of marine services. The portfolio includes 17 marina destinations (from Falmouth to Eastbourne) providing annual berthing, dry stack storage, summer/winter berthing, visitor berthing, and flexible berthing options. Supporting services include boatyard facilities (lift & launch, Pit Stop maintenance packages, storage ashore, Trafalgar Shipyard), the Premier Advantage loyalty programme (offering 42 complimentary visitor nights across the network), the Premier App and MyPremier customer portal, Premier Marine Insurance (partnered with GJW Direct), Boatpoint boat sales, and commercial property leasing. The company also runs referral programmes (Refer a Friend for berth holders, Refer a Client for marine businesses) offering commission or vouchers. Recent acquisitions have expanded the network to include Boatfolk locations (Deacons, Haslar, East Cowes, Portland, Weymouth) and Dart Marina Group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Annual Berthing Long-term wet berth contracts at any of Premier's 17 South Coast marinas, providing a secure mooring with first-class facilities and access to the Premier Advantage loyalty programme. Customers may pay annually upfront or via monthly direct debit; upfront annual payment is incentivised with up to £100 in savings.
• Dry Stack Storage

Quantifiable outcome

• 42 complimentary visitor nights per year for annual berth holders across the Premier network
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dart Marina Group (Dart Marina, Dart Marina Hotel, Dartmouth Higher Ferry)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2026Premier Marinas acquired Dart Marina Group in April 2026, which includes Dart Marina, Dart Marina Hotel, and the Dartmouth Higher Ferry. The acquisition brings together two Dartmouth sites once associated with the historic Philip & Son shipyard. The business continues to operate under its existing identity with a focus on maintaining standards and character that customers value, while benefiting from integration into the Premier network.
• Boatfolk Marina Group (Deacons, Haslar, East Cowes, Portland, Weymouth, Conwy, Penarth, Portishead, Rhu, Royal Quays)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Premier Marinas acquired the Boatfolk Marina Group portfolio, adding 10 marina locations to its network. The first phase integrated five South Coast sites (Deacons, Haslar, East Cowes, Portland, Weymouth) ahead of the 2026 season. The final phase (autumn) will complete integration of Conwy, Penarth, Portishead, Rhu, and Royal Quays marinas. The Boatfolk acquisition represents a substantial expansion of Premier's UK marina network.
• GJW Direct (Groves, John and Westrup Ltd)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremier Marinas has teamed with GJW Direct to offer Premier Marine Insurance - an insurance product with exclusive additional benefits for Premier berth holders. Premier Marinas acts as an introducer (Appointed Representative), while GJW Direct is the general insurer, authorised and regulated by the FCA. Munich Re Holding Company (UK) Limited is the parent of GJW Direct.
• Premier Self StoreminorOthersPremier Self Store is a related entity offering self-storage services, cross-promoted on the Premier Marinas website. Both operate under Premier Marinas Holdings Limited.
• BoatpointminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBoatpoint is a national boat sales business with representation at boating locations across the UK, including Premier marina sites. Boatpoint offers benefits for buyers and sellers combining local expertise with a trusted national network. Boatpoint is featured as an onsite business on the Premier Marinas website.
• Nicky's Sail Loft and ChandleryminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOnsite marine retailer operating at Brighton Marina and Sovereign Harbour, offering sail valeting, canvas cleaning/re-proofing, rigging supplies, and professional splicing services. Partnered with Premier for Sea Safety Days and community events.
• Oceans of Hope UKminorOthersBrighton Marina team participated in a Spinnaker Tower abseil challenge to raise funds for Oceans of Hope UK, a sailing charity supporting individuals living with multiple sclerosis (MS). Premier Marinas staff volunteer for the challenge.
• BBC Children in Need (Big Bear Voyage)minorOthersPremier Marinas Brighton is sponsoring the Big Bear Voyage 2026 - a UK circumnavigation by berth holder Jonathan Brewin in aid of BBC Children in Need, aiming to raise £70,000 across 35 ports.
• Wetwheels FoundationminorOthersWetwheels Foundation provides accessible boating experiences for people of all abilities. Wetwheels Solent and South East operates from Sovereign Harbour (Eastbourne) providing two weeks of boating experiences including a Pirates Day charity event.
• Rona Sailing ProjectminorOthersThe Rona Sailing Project is a charity based at Universal Marina running inclusive Sail Training Voyages for diverse young people, school groups, and vulnerable adults. Based at Universal Marina with new training yacht James Myatt.
• SailGP (Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSailGP's fast and furious F50 sailing racing event returns to Portsmouth (Solent) for 2026. Premier Marinas promotes this event to berth holders and is associated as a local business participant in the regional event.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• IGY Marinas: Island Global Yachting operates one of the world's largest networks of premium marinas (20+ locations). It is a comparable international peer to Premier in terms of premium recreational berthing, network scale, and the multi-service marina operating model including boatyard and concierge services.
• MDL Marinas: MDL Marinas is the UK's other major marina chain, operating around 18 marinas across the South Coast and beyond. It is the closest direct competitor to Premier, offering annual berthing, dry stack, boatyard services, and loyalty rewards across a comparable UK South Coast footprint.
• D-Marin: D-Marin operates a network of premium marinas across the Mediterranean (Turkey, Greece, Croatia, Italy, Spain, Montenegro). It is a comparable international peer in the premium marina segment with similar full-service positioning including berthing, boatyard, and concierge.
• Port Vauban (Société d'Exploitation du Port Vauban): Port Vauban is one of Europe's premier marinas in Antibes on the French Riviera, serving superyachts and premium recreational vessels. It is comparable to Premier as a flagship premium marina operator with high-end berthing, boatyard services, and waterside commercial property.
• Camper & Nicholsons Marinas: Camper & Nicholsons operates premium marinas in prime Mediterranean and Caribbean locations. It is comparable to Premier in premium positioning, loyalty-style berth holder benefits, and the operating model combining berthing with associated marine services.
• Quay Marinas: Quay Marinas operates a network of UK marinas including in the Solent region overlapping with Premier's geography. It is a direct UK competitor for South Coast berth holders and a natural comparison point for Premier's annual and seasonal berthing offerings.
• Yacht Havens Group: Yacht Havens operates a focused portfolio of UK marinas including sites in Lymington and along the South Coast. It is a direct UK competitor to Premier with similar annual and seasonal berthing offerings for recreational boat owners.

Broad incumbents

• Burgess Yachts: Burgess is a global yacht services firm offering sales, charter, management, and marina services. It is comparable to Premier as a broader incumbent operating across the premium boating value chain including marina access for superyacht owners and brokerage services.
• Sunseeker: Sunseeker is a UK luxury motor yacht manufacturer based in Poole, Dorset, with associated marina operations on the South Coast. It is comparable to Premier as an adjacent UK marine industry leader serving the same premium boating customer base, although its core business is boat manufacturing rather than marina operations.

Others

• Princess Motor Yacht Sales: Princess is a UK luxury motor yacht manufacturer and dealer with regional offices including on the South Coast. It is an ecosystem participant rather than direct competitor, partnered with Premier through the Refer a Client scheme to direct new boat buyers to Premier berthing.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@PremierMarinasUK
• Facebookfacebook.com/premiermarinasuk
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/premier-marinas
• Instagraminstagram.com/premier_marinas
• Xx.com/PremierMarinas

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A2 records

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Premier Marinas