Boat hire business booming over summer

The company hires a number of different craft for use on the River Nene in Peterborough

The owner of a small boat hire company said his business was booming as some people seemed to be choosing to stay at home and enjoy local activities rather than holidaying overseas.

Byron Cripps launched Peterborough Boat Hire in June 2021, operating canoes, kayaks, pedalos and motorboats from the Embankment on the River Nene.

He said he initially contacted 17 councils across the country asking if they saw a market for his new venture, but Peterborough's was the only one to reply.

Now in his third year, Mr Cripps said he had seen a 20% increase in sales so far this summer, adding: "I think there's a lot of potential to grow and see where this can go."

Byron Cripps moved from Dorset to start his business in Peterborough

He admitted Peterborough might not be as well known as Cambridge for boating trips, but said he had customers from there as well as further afield.

"It's lovely to see people from all over - maybe they're coming to see other rivers and other landscapes - maybe they've seen the [River] Cam and they want to see others," he said.

The area his business covers has about six miles (9.5km) of river to explore.

"It might take you five or six minutes to get out of town then you feel like you're in the countryside and it's absolutely beautiful," he said.

The wildlife that makes the river its home is also a big attraction.

"Yesterday I took out a family and we saw a beautiful line of swans. We have an abundance of heron and I saw four or five kingfishers," he said.

Otters and seals are also commonplace in the area.

A few minutes' paddling from the city brings you to the countryside

Originally from Dorset, he said he was a fan of boat hire companies there and wanted to start his own.

He came to Peterborough after the city council was the only local authority to reply to his inquiries.

He said the city had the potential to grow as a tourist destination.

"From when the school holidays started I thought a lot people would go on holiday and go elsewhere but I've been up maybe another 20% throughout the peak season, which is a fantastic advantage," he said.