British Marine has published its latest UK Marina & Moorings Market Report, providing an in-depth snapshot of market conditions, business sentiment and structural challenges shaping the UK marina sector as it enters 2026.
Based on survey responses from The Yacht Harbour Association (TYHA) member marinas representing around 60% of UK berth provision, the report shows a sector that remains stable but increasingly cautious, as operators adjust to easing demand following the post-pandemic high.
Despite ongoing economic pressures and subdued consumer confidence, berth occupancy remains high across much of the sector, particularly in coastal locations, with many marinas continuing to operate close to capacity. Waiting lists, while easing slightly since 2022, remain a feature of high-demand regions, highlighting continued pressure on existing infrastructure and limited scope for expansion.
Lesley Robinson, CEO of British Marine, said: “This report shows a marina sector that is still performing well operationally, with high occupancy levels across much of the UK, but which is increasingly cautious about the future. Operators are having to adapt to softer demand, changing customer demographics and limited opportunities to expand capacity, all against a challenging economic backdrop.”
The findings suggest that future growth in the marina sector is more likely to be driven by operational optimisation, targeted investment and ongoing consolidation, rather than the development of new marina capacity. Planning constraints continue to limit expansion, with very few new developments coming forward and investment instead concentrated on site upgrades and modernisation. Consolidation, supported by private equity interest, is increasingly shaping the market as operators seek to maintain performance in a capacity-constrained environment.
The report also identifies a notable decline in business confidence, with almost half of respondents expecting their local market to weaken over the next 12 months. Operators cited falling enquiries, affordability challenges among an ageing customer base, and increased competition in a constrained market as key concerns. And while residential berths and boatyard services continue to show relative resilience, performance in leisure berths and boat sales has softened.
Looking ahead, the research highlights a number of emerging and longer-term challenges facing the sector. Despite wider industry debate around decarbonisation, member feedback indicates that demand for electric charging and alternative fuels remains very low. The report also points to the growing financial and operational burden of abandoned and end-of-life boats, with marina operators increasingly calling for a coordinated, government-led approach to disposal and recycling.
Jon White, General Manager for TYHA, added: “Our members are operating close to capacity in many locations, yet confidence has clearly shifted since the last survey. The data highlights the pressure points marinas are facing from affordability and customer retention to infrastructure constraints and underlines the importance of evidence-based insight to support decision-making and engagement with policymakers.”
Produced by British Marine, the report is intended to support members’ strategic planning, investment decisions and policy engagement by providing robust, evidence-based insight into the marina and moorings sector. The UK Marina & Moorings Market Report 2025 is available exclusively to British Marine members, free of charge. Members can log in to the British Marine website to download the full report and explore the detailed findings here: https://www.britishmarine.co.uk/resources/knowledge-centre/marina-and-moorings-market-report-2025
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