Birmingham canal boat owners angry after marina firm collapse

People living on narrowboats in Birmingham city centre have said they have been left in "limbo" after discovering the company running the marina had collapsed. Many had paid thousands of pounds upfront for services including mooring fees and electricity at Sherborne Wharf. Narrowboat charter company Sherborne Wharf Ltd, which operated boat trips, party hire and long-term moorings, told the BBC it had been forced out of business by a surprise rent demand from the Canal and River Trust. The trust, which has not yet responded to that allegation, said earlier the company going into liquidation had been a surprise and it was working with the liquidators to find the "best way forward". "We are a small family-run business, and we are genuinely sorry for the hardship and distress this is causing our customers," Sherborne Wharf Ltd said in a statement. The group of owners told the BBC they did not know what the future held for their homes and that they faced being out of pocket by thousands. Jennica Legarta, 30, and her boyfriend wanted to move in on a boat together to combat the rising cost of living. "We are a young couple and we thought we would make it work on something that was not a c

Mar 27, 2026 → Mar 27, 2026