Thames & Kennet Marina

The idea of a marina at Caversham took hold in the 1970s, when David first saw the gravel pits at Caversham from the train, just outside Reading. His long term vision for the site developed from this time. It took twelve years to get planning; in 1982 Thames and Kennet Marina became the first new purpose-built marina on the Thames in thirty years, funded by investors under Margaret Thatcher’s Business Expansion Scheme.

When David sold the 350 berth marina in 2004, after the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake was built, Thames and Kennet Marina was believed to be one of the few surviving companies set up under the Business Expansion Scheme. It was a phenomenal success, with his investors receiving a large return on a 15 year investment. His many berth-holders were testament to the quality of provision he provided.