Last month we reported that Broom Boats was to pass from the Broom Family, who have owned the company for 112 years, into the hands of two Norfolk businessmen. At the time the new owners promised that the company would continue steaming ahead building a new generation of craft.

Sadly this is not the case. On the first day of this month news broke that C J Broom (the boatbuilding arm of the company) is on a course to insolvency with the loss of 70 skilled workers – many of whom have followed their fathers into the company.

This loss of a respected boat building operation, and its much loved craft, is part of a major shake up of both companies following their sale a few weeks ago. However Mark Garner, the new Chairman, says that the closure is due to a weak boat sales market and losses of over a million pounds incurred in the boat building operation in recent years. He hopes that boat building may resume in the future but for the time being there was no alternative but to halt production; and not exhibit at Southampton as planned.

Significantly other Broom activities are seen to be safe. The marina, brokerage, repairs and waterside services will continue under the new management.