The Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation company is ditching its leisure interests on the canal in a bid to solve its money problems.

As it enters its second year in administration, the 211-year-old C&BN company wants someone else to run its canal centre with teashop, trip and hire boats and the cruising barge Victoria at Paper Mill.

Keen interest had already been shown, said administrator Andrew McTear, "but more interested parties are sought."

However, the Old Ship Inn at Heybridge Basin, which is owned by a freeholder and has 32 years of its 35-year lease to C&BN to run, could soon find itself in new hands.

"We're looking to sell the lease," said Mr McTear.

The company's slimmed-down management team will concentrate on maintaining the 13-mile waterway, its works and structures.

Published Friday, December 24, 2004

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