Final year for John O'Groats Ferries unless 'last-minute bidder' comes forward
It looks increasingly likely that the 2023 season will be the last for John O'Groats Ferries – unless an eleventh-hour bidder emerges.
The business, run by members of the same family for more than half a century, is on the market for £1.2 million.
However, a buyer has yet to come forward and the owners say they don't see the ferry service operating beyond this year unless it is sold as a going concern.
The company is run jointly by Deborah Fermor, her brother Ivor Thomas and Deborah’s husband Fred. There are eight year-round employees and about six seasonal staff.
Daily services operate between John O'Groats and Orkney from the beginning of May until the end of September on the passenger ferry Pentland Venture, with wildlife cruises every day until the end of August.
Mr Fermor said: "It has been a great season on the Pentland Firth. Cruises are doing very nicely and there’s a definite resurgence in group travel on our Orkney day tours.
"Dare I say, it’s all ticking along nicely like a well-oiled machine. Having said that, we are up for sale but as yet we haven’t had any concrete proposals going forward.
"I’m very keen to see the business continuing in John O’Groats, both for our crew and for the area too.
"We may consider a slightly reduced offer and I would urge anyone local with interest in seeing the business continue to get in touch with Christie & Co in Glasgow, who are handling the sale."
Mr Fermor added: "As far as I'm concerned it is the last year for the ferry unless we get a last-minute bidder.
"You could say it’s the final chance for a reprieve for the business. On the other hand, it can be viewed as a fantastic opportunity to acquire this quality business at a very reasonable price."
When Christie & Co took on the marketing earlier this summer, its associate director Mark Lavery said: “John O’Groats Ferries Ltd is quite a unique lifestyle business in a stunning part of Scotland. The seasonal business currently operates for five months over summer but there is scope to extend this trading season.
"The opportunity gives any prospective buyer a ready-built, robust business with a reliable, strong income stream from day one and would suit an operator who would relish a true ‘lifestyle change’ business with high profit margins.”
The business was started in 1971 by Ian Thomas, father of Deborah and Ivor.
