ABP’s Ipswich Beacon Marina – the marina on Ipswich Waterfront – has been awarded a top rating of five Gold Anchors by The Yacht Harbour Association, in recognition of its facilities and customer service.

The Gold Anchor scheme, which evaluates the standards, efficiency, and service of marinas worldwide commended the Ipswich Beacon Marina for its high levels of service.

Lucy Edmonds, East Anglia Marina Manager, expressed her delight at the recognition, stating: “We are thrilled to be recognised for the service we provide for our customers. It reflects the hard work, dedication and professionalism of the Marina team who take great pride in the marina and the services we are providing to all our customers. It’s a huge achievement and one we are all very excited to receive”.

Lucy Edmonds went on to highlight the team’s commitment to making Ipswich Waterfront inviting for all, noting: “Whether it’s maintaining the marina and surrounding areas, or through supporting local charities by facilitating fundraising events such as the Dragon Boat Race or through providing the local Sea Cadets with upgraded pontoons, our team goes above and beyond to enhance the experience for all water users.”

This prestigious award solidifies Ipswich Waterfront’s position as a standout feature of the town. In alignment with this achievement, ABP has recently submitted plans to Ipswich Borough Council for a £2 million upgrade to the marina. If approved, the project will include removing 93 berths from the wet dock and installing 15 new ones in front of Coprolite Street and the University of Suffolk’s main building. It also includes the construction of two new welfare facilities, and a large space would also be allocated to Ipswich Maritime Trust for a new window museum.

Paul Ager, Divisional Port Manager for ABP, emphasised the company’s vision, stating: “The investment we plan to make in the marina demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the Ipswich Waterfront as a destination and want it to thrive,” he said.

Should the green light come soon, ABP said work could begin in early 2025.

The Gold Anchor Scheme has been a respected measure of marina quality for more than 25 years, issuing ‘anchors’ in the same way that hotels are issued with stars. It assesses marinas on criteria such as ambiance, planning, customer service, environmental practices and both on-water and onshore facilities. Ipswich Beacon Marina’s recent audit scored over 90% to earn the highest accolade in the scheme of five anchors.