By Carole Dennett
Hope has long been in short supply for supporters of the Red Funnel-owned Hythe Ferry; however, recent talk of repair work to the Hythe Pier pontoon stirred up some optimism. But beneath the surface lies a grim reality that does not bode well for the much-loved service.
The ferry, which runs between Hythe and Town Quay in Southampton, describes itself as a “vital lifeline for the local economy, tourism, and our maritime heritage”, but has been out of action since August, following the discovery of structural issues at the berthing pontoon.
Cross-Solent operator Red Funnel acquired the service for £234,000 in September 2023. However, the company appears both unable and unwilling to fund any repairs.
On May 8, Hythe Ferry’s Facebook page announced “investigation works” were underway on the pontoon, describing it as the first ‘phase’ to bring the ferry back into service. They disclosed they were working with three ‘specialist contractors’, including family firm Williams Shipping and small Southampton-based company Below the Hook.
Some commentators assumed Red Funnel were finally stepping up to restore the ferry service; others, more familiar with the company’s dire financial straits, wondered where the money was coming from.
It now transpires that Red Funnel isn’t footing the repair bill. Instead, they appear to be relying on the generosity of much smaller businesses.
Williams Shipping, a family-run firm, announced on LinkedIn that they had stepped in to assist with preliminary work “at no cost,” even using their multicat vessel, Willsupply, to help. Similarly, Below the Hook Ltd is providing specialist equipment at cost price and has completed vital work for free. Director, Ben Pritchard, said when he was initially approached by Hythe Ferry he was not made aware that Red Funnel owned the service, but added: “We’re a small company and if we can help people, we will.”
But why are smaller local firms subsidising Red Funnel? The answer becomes clearer with a closer look at Red Funnel’s begging bowl approach. A crowdfunding campaign launched in February has raised just £5,148 of the estimated £250,000 required to repair the pontoon.
Attempts to secure public funds to support the privately owned company have also failed. The Hythe Ferry Facebook post lamented, “Despite repeated efforts, we’ve yet to secure any financial support from New Forest District Council.” Hampshire and Southampton councils have also refused support.
Meanwhile, Red Funnel’s CEO and director of Hythe and Southampton Ferry company, Fran Collins, has brushed off responsibility.
She has told the press that the company “must autonomously raise funding.” The IW Observer asked her and Hythe Ferry’s other director, Stephen Ridgway, who is Red Funnel’s Chairman, to confirm what we were told in February by Ashleigh Mutimear-MacMillan, who has worked for Hythe Ferry since 2021. She said that if the ferry doesn’t re-enter service, members of the public who have contributed to the crowdfunder would have their money refunded.
We also asked for a comment on why they were expecting much smaller companies to work for nothing. We did not get any response.
We are not the only organisation waiting to hear from the company’s directors. Public accounts for the associated company remain overdue by seven weeks at Companies House, which is a criminal offence.
Richard Quigley, the MP for West Wight, didn’t mince his words about the situation. He said: “On the one hand Red Funnel keep claiming they are financially secure – on the other hand the company is getting small businesses who care about their local community to do work for free that they should be paid for.
“I commend those small businesses for what they are doing – but a company the size of Red Funnel should have anticipated the problems before buying the company and fund any repairs that are needed rather than looking to other people or the public purse to pay for them.”
By their own admission the Hythe Ferry “still have a long way to go”. Their enthusiastic supporters may need to prepare for disappointment. Red Funnel’s commitment to ensuring a reliable “lifeline service” for Hythe residents, might seem familiar to Isle of Wight residents.