Corks pop as Earls Barton White Mills named as inland marina of the year

The owner of a family-run inland marina has celebrated the venture being named the best in Britain with a glass of bubbly.

White Mills Marina in Earls Barton was named Towergate Inland Marina of the Year 2020 at a virtual national awards ceremony as owner Debbie Skinner logged on at a friend's house.

The accolade comes four years after the family-run marina on the River Nene opened for business and it was the first time the marina was eligible to enter the annual national awards.

Debbie Skinner said: “We knew we were on the shortlist but never dreamt we would actually win. Ever since we first opened, we have aspired to be an award-winning marina and now we are.

"I logged on to the ceremony at a mate's house and we celebrated with a glass of fizz. It is absolutely, brilliant news and we are all thrilled.”

White Mills Marina is a 141-berth marina and last year was awarded four gold anchors from The Yacht Harbour Association.

In addition, the marina’s Boathouse café, which has become a favourite with walkers and cyclists, was voted Northamptonshire Coffee Shop of the Year.

The complex combines a riverside stopping off point for boaters and campers visiting the River Nene. The marina works closely with the Friends of the River Nene as well as the local community to help promote the River Nene and surrounding Nene Valley.

Jon White from The Yacht Harbour Association said: “White Mills Marina is a very popular location on the River Nene. Customers commented that it has a very friendly team and is a well maintained, clean site which supports its local community as well as the boating community.”

Debbie added: “Our Boathouse café - our brew with a view - is back open to our normal opening hours and there is a new covered outside area where we can welcome dog walkers and cyclists.

"Our recent Macmillan Coffee Morning raised £810 and we'd like to thank everyone for supporting us.

"As with all these things it's not about individuals but about having a team of fantastic individuals on board, which we know we have.

"And of course, we must thank all our lovely supporters who made the effort to vote for us, after all without the votes we would never have come out on top. We are so pleased and incredibly proud."

Message from the editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the highest standards in the world. The dramatic events of 2020 are having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers and consequently the advertising that we receive. We are now more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news by buying a copy of our newspaper.