Chandleries Receive Top Award

The Marinestore Group has been awarded the prestigious title of Marine Retailer of the Year 2008 - exactly 15 years since the first store, the Maldon Chandlery in Essex, was opened by John Lodge and he took £8.50 on his first day. 

Pictured left, the trophy was presented to the owners John Lodge and his wife Lynn by David Lewin, Chairman of the MTA (Marine Trades Association).  On receiving the award John commented, "This is fantastic, we have had a brilliant start to the year - opening the new store in Lanzarote - and it's great to know that our industry recognises this."

The thriving business, which introduced an online mail ordering service ten years ago, sells a broad range of chandlery, clothing and footwear to meet local requirements at its four stores across Essex.  The Maldon shop is geared towards the classic market, supplying unusual but traditional items such as lanolin, red lead powder, bronze fittings and just about anything for the older craft.  Modern equipment sits happily alongside all of the traditional gear.  The Maldon yard also features some of the best shipwrights around and has berthing and cranage available.

The Burnham shop has a racing flavour, and the stock reflects this.  Titchmarsh Marina at Walton-on-the-Naze is the largest and most prestigious store, with over 5000 sq ft of space dedicated to chandlery.  This site caters for cruising craft and larger motor boats.  The West Mersea outlet leans towards dinghy and clothing supplies and has a large range of 'hard-to-find' spares for racing boats.

Earlier this year, Marinestore embarked on their first overseas venture, opening a shop in the prestigious Marina Rubicon in Lanzarote.  The 2200 sq ft store sells the full range of products and equipment that are found in the UK, but with a tax rate of only 5% it's a place worth visiting.  Customers are invited to order online in the UK and collect from the Lanzarote chandlery.