Holyhead ferries set to resume after six-week port closure

The UK’s second busiest port is set to return to its full number of services more than a month after being completely shut by damage from Storm Darragh.

Two berths at Holyhead, which links north Wales and Dublin, were damaged on 7 December, affecting thousands of travellers and parcel deliveries over Christmas, as well as businesses in the town.

Only one of those berths is due to reopen on Thursday, meaning port owners Stena Line and Irish Ferries will have to each run their regular four daily services from a single berth, rather than the usual two.

The Welsh government said it would consider the results of a survey before deciding next steps.

A temporary timetable has been drawn up for the partial reopening while the second berth is repaired.

But traders in Holyhead said they had seen a huge drop in footfall and earnings since the closure of the port, which sees two million passengers a year and 1,200 lorries and trailers crossing every day.

“We don’t have the footfall coming from Ireland any longer and don’t seem to have the people in the shops spending their money,” explained Anglesey councillor Jeff Evans.

“It’s good that Stena is addressing the problem but it’s only reopening partially. The sooner it’s reopened normally, the better. We can’t ever have this happening again.”

Claudia Howard, who owns the Boathouse Hotel, said she had taken a “substantial hit”.

“We’ve had 147 bookings cancelled. If you take an average of £100 a night, that’s £14,700,” she said.

“On top of that, you have their spends over the bar, breakfast or if they’ve had an evening meal, so actually we’ve lost considerably more than that.

“We also have coach parties and they go across to Ireland and had to cancel as well.”

She said the business also had to pay to roof damage caused by the storm itself.

“It’s good to know they [the ferries] will be going again so business will pick up. The one worry is, if there’s four ferries, there’ll be less cause for people to stay in Holyhead.

“But at least they’re going, and that’s a relief.”

She added the cancellations also had issues on supply chains, such as linen companies which supply the hotel.

Anglesey council’s leader Gary Pritchard said there should be some kind of “hardship fund” to help businesses.

“We’re led to believe that the Irish government have been looking at, or have already, set up a hardship fund – certainly for the haulage industry in Ireland.

“What we’re calling for is something similar for the businesses that have been impacted in Holyhead.”

The Welsh government said: “Anglesey council are currently gathering evidence of the potential impact of the closure, and a survey is available on their website for businesses to complete.

“We will consider this evidence carefully before deciding on next steps.”

In a statement, the Irish government described the expected resumption of ferry services between Holyhead and Dublin as very positive news for passengers, freight operators, and all in the ports and maritime sectors.

It said: “The impact of and response to the closure of Holyhead port over the Christmas period will be reviewed.”