Ferry service goes into voluntary liquidation

A ferry which has been out of service for 18 months has gone into voluntary liquidation.

The Hythe Ferry, linking Hythe and Southampton Town Quay, was suspended in August 2024 after damage was found to its pontoon and supporting structure.

A spokesperson for the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company said it had made the difficult decision after "exhausting every possible avenue" to seek grants, funding or another operator to take the service on.

The company said it was a "deeply disappointing outcome", adding that it understands how much the ferry meant to the local community.

In a statement, the ferry firm said "Over the past 18 months, [we have] worked extensively to try and find a sustainable solution that would allow the service to return.

"Unfortunately, despite exhausting every possible avenue, no viable proposals or interested parties have emerged.

"We would like to thank everyone who has supported the ferry during this challenging time."

In 2023, Isle of Wight ferry firm Red Funnel took over The Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company, which operates the passenger link across Southampton Water.

In December last year, Red Funnel was acquired by investment firm Njord Partners, which decided it was not best suited to operate the Hythe service and the ferry firm began looking for someone to take it on.

A ferry has run between Southampton and Hythe since the Middle Ages and is marked on a map dated 1575.