Transformation of former Royal Navy Rum Store gets final green light, work begins

WORK on the £22million transformation of the UK Docks-owned former Royal Navy Rum Store at Victoria Quay is beginning, in the wake of Gosport Borough Council giving final planning permission for the project.

Plans for the regeneration of the Grade II listed building received planning permission from the council in September and work has now begun on he important enabling works for the rundown structure, with the walls being cleaned and the ground treated and prepared for the impending redevelopment work.

That work will involve internal and external alterations, including the reconstruction of the second storey, new floors, the installation of new stairs and a lift, as well as the provision of electricity and drainage, along with a rooftop bar area and a solar array.

An artist’s impression of how the Rum Store’s exterior will look upon successful completion of the regeneration work

The council was awarded £11m from the Government’s Local Regeneration Fund in 2023 to renovate the Rum Store building at the former Royal Clarence Yard, and that crucial funding allowed UK Docks to match-fund to turn the building into a huge asset for the local community.

Ultimately, the investment in the historic building, which once held the Royal Navy’s entire rum store at the height of the British Empire, could create nearly 7,000sqm of mixed-use employment space, mainly for maritime businesses, while other units are earmarked for retail and leisure.

The rooftop bar, with views across Portsmouth Harbour, would be a centre-piece attraction in the council’s wider plans to revitalise and reconnect the town’s historic waterfront.

The Rum Store’s new rooftop terrace will be a stunning addition to local facilities in Gosport.

The council’s approval of the plans for the redevelopment also takes care to safeguard the special architectural and historic interest of the listed structure and protect its character and appearance.

Ben Mason, business development director at UK Docks: “It’s great to have reached this landmark moment with the council giving approval after satisfying themselves that the plans meet the highest standards for the building.

“Working with Gosport Borough Council has given us access to government funding and helped unlock solutions to problems that were bigger than just our site at Victoria Quay, such as local infrastructure. 

“The council has big plans for regeneration in the borough and we're delighted to be a partner in that.

“We hope to release regular updates as the work gets underway on making this area one of the jewels in the crown of Gosport.”

Giles Pritchard, director of Pritchard Architecture, which has drawn up the plans, said: “Following extensive work by the project team and close collaboration with the planning authority, the local community, and other key stakeholders, we are delighted to have reached this significant project milestone — marking another step toward restoring this magnificent building and giving it a new lease of life.”

A cross-section of the planned Rum Store redevelopment showing the multiple uses the building will have.

Councillor Peter Chegwyn, Leader of Gosport Borough Council, said: “This vital step brings us closer to realising our vision for the site. 

“Once complete, the renovation could deliver nearly 7,000sqm of high-quality mixed-use employment space, and create up to 200 jobs.

“We look forward to welcoming more residents and visitors to enjoy a more vibrant and better-connected waterfront.”

Shields ferries to remain serviced and maintained on the Tyne by UK Docks

UK Docks Marine Services has agreed a three-year contract with the owners of the Shields Ferry to ensure its vessels are kept ship-shape on the River Tyne.

The agreement means that essential maintenance work will continue to be carried out on South Tyneside, benefiting the local economy, until at least 2028.

UK Docks director Gary Wilson said: “We are delighted to have been trusted again with ensuring the smooth operation of this iconic service.

UK Docks director Gary Wilson with Nexus's Kevin Leonard,celebrate the new three-year contract between the two companies. Pic by Tim Richadson.

“As a South Tyneside company, and with many of our staff drawn from the local workforce, we know exactly how important the Shields ferry is to its passengers - whether using it for work or simply to travel.

“It’s also an important part of the local economy, and so it's equally important that the ferries continue to function at the top of their game.

“We’re very familiar with both vessels having worked on them for many years previously and we look forward to using that expertise to ensure they’re operating to the highest standards in the wake of the new contract.”

Nexus, the public body which runs the service, operates two passenger ferries on the North Shields-South Shields route.

Both ferries - the Pride of the Tyne and the Spirit of the Tyne - underwent full services this year at UK Docks’ slipway in River Drive, South Shields, and the extended contract suits both organisations, with Nexus able to maintain its vessels without leaving Tyneside and a local company able to benefit from its neighbour.

The Pride of the Tyne ferry on South Shields slipway this summer.

The 32-year-old Pride of the Tyne underwent her annual service this summer as well as a refit overhaul on her two propulsion units, while the newer Spirit of the Tyne passed her annual service.

The works were extensive and required both vessels spending time out of the water on UK Docks’ slipway.

Gary Wilson said: “Our great working relationship with the Nexus engineering team meant that even facing challenges, we achieved both ferry services within the allotted Nexus maintenance periods."

Both vessels were assessed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) certification and given a clean bill of health before returning to service. Maintenance of the ferries takes place annually to ensure they remain in safe and serviceable conditions at all times during passenger services.”

UK Docks director Gary Wilson with Kevin Leonard, Nexus customer services operations manager on UK Docks slipway in South Shields. Pic by Tim Richardson.

Kevin Leonard, Customer Services Operations Manager at Nexus, said: “We’re delighted to continue our partnership with UK Docks, who provide a vital role in delivering essential maintenance on the Shields Ferry. 

"This new deal ensures that essential repairs on our two vessels will continue to be carried out on the River Tyne.”

UK Docks’ founder Harry receives national Supreme Champion 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award

UK Docks founder and executive chairman, Harry Wilson MBE, who launched a national company operating globally from a single slipway in South Shields, has been honoured with a national Lifetime Achievement award.

Harry was presented with the award at a gala dinner in London hosted by Family Business United in recognition of a huge contribution to the country’s marine services industry.

UK Docks’ founder Harry Wilson, presented with his Lifetime Achievement award by Ben Fowler, MD of Western Pension Solutions (left) and Paul Andrews, CEO of Family Business United

On the evening, 11 business leaders received recognition for lifetime contributions to their sectors, but Harry took away the Supreme Champion 2025 award as his unique efforts were fully recognised.

Paul Andrews, CEO of Family Business United, noted, "Harry’s legacy is one of enduring impact, from bringing his three sons into the business to fostering a multigenerational family-led enterprise."

"He is a man who never set out to seek recognition but earned it through decades of meaningful contribution, leadership by example and unwavering service.  

“He truly epitomises what family business is all about.  

“A legend. A giant. A fantastic pioneer for the marine sector and truly deserving of a Family Business Lifetime Achievement Award."

Harry’s sons, UK Docks directors Chris, Gary and Jonathon, were among the guests cheering him on as he went up to accept the award.

“I was a bit overwhelmed, to be honest, but I was delighted,” said Harry. 

"To be recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award is deeply humbling.  I've always believed in the potential of the British marine industry and the people who work in it, and this honour is a tribute to every shipbuilder, engineer and apprentice who keeps our country afloat, and to the family and colleagues who have helped shape UK Docks into what it is today."

Harry had been just as delighted to see the company win the Family Business of the Year Award for the North of England and Northern Ireland earlier in the year, and also the national Community Support and Involvement Family Award, while coming runners-up to the overall national winner.

Family is important to Harry, who later this year will celebrate 60 years of marriage to Audrey, and is proud to see the company now passing down through the generations.

The 83-year-old’s three sons are all heavily involved in the development of the company, while in the next generation, Harry’s grandsons Ewan and Lewis are in the early stages of their engineering careers with the company.

“It has been a pleasure and a privilege to work alongside my three sons for the past 30 years, building up UK Docks, and it couldn’t be in safer hands right now,” he said.

“The three of them have got a collective experience, wisdom and togetherness which is probably unparalleled in the marine industry.

Harry began his career as an apprentice marine engineer in shipyards across the North East, learning the fundamentals of marine engineering on the Tyne before embarking on a career at sea.  He then returned to the shipyards where he led major shipbuilding and repair projects, including the post-Falklands War rebuild of the RFA Sir Tristan.

His career flourished with senior leadership and management roles where he shaped strategic decisions across multiple UK ship repair yards, and in 1992, his entrepreneurial vision, combined with a rare breadth of experience and passion, and a desire to give something back to the North East and the marine community, led to the founding of UK Docks Marine Services.

What started from a single slipway on the Tyne has grown into a nationally and internationally recognised ship repair and marine services business dealing with major commercial and defence contracts.

Paul Andrews of Family Business United added: “UK Docks flourished under his leadership, rooted in practical experience, deep-seated regional loyalty and strategic acumen, and with his ethics and principles, sense of right and wrong underpinning the firm’s reputation for technical excellence, social purpose and sustained growth.

“He has overseen growth to include dry docks and shipyards in Teesside, Cremyll, Gosport, creating more than 250 jobs, revitalising disused industrial sites and supporting the defence of the UK through the servicing of Royal Navy vessels.

“He is an inspiration to many, and his vision and legacy are incredible, as is his mission to breathe fresh life into the British marine industry.  Congratulations, Harry.”

UK Docks' voluntary work with Arbeia Roman Fort flourishes as season comes to an end

WORKERS from UK Docks headquarters in South Shields have continued their voluntary work at the town’s Arbeia Roman Fort with a last visit of 2025 to the iconic site.

The company’s ongoing support, co-ordinated by office manager Emma Bryson, have earned UK Docks warm praise from North East Museums, (formerly Tyne and Wear Archives & Museums). which operates the historic site.

And UK Docks plans to maintain its links with the Fort into 2026 as part of its ongoing commitments to the local community.

Arbeia Roman Fort getting a final spruce up of 2025 - left to right, UK Docks’ Rachel Barrett and Emma Bryson with Louisa Gidney.and Frances the mule.

Operations Director, Stephen Lee, said: “UK Docks is proud to be based in South Shields and it is important to us to give back to the communities that sustain our growth and progress both in South Tyneside and around the country with our workers and supply chains. “

In recent years, the company which has always supported local charities, and has had a strong link with South Shields Cadets, T.S. Collingwood for many years, has looked to do even more.

A beach clean at Littlehaven Beach marked the start of more involvement but it has been work carried out at the tourist attraction of Arbeia’s Roman Fort which has become an enduring contribution.

Office manager Emma, said: “We were initially thinking of our visit to the Fort as a one-off - we’d go and help carry out a spring clean of the site - but it has become more than that and we have started to visit regularly.

UK Docks’ clean-up team, hard at work at South Shields’ Arbeia Roman Fort.

“It’s such a historic part of the town - an outpost from the Roman Empire from 2,000 years ago - and we wanted to do our part in supporting it."

“The work we do involves keeping the site cleaned and tidy, preventing it from becoming overgrown and contributing to as many small tasks as we can on the day.

On their last visit of 2025, Emma was joined by colleagues Richie Cheel, Rachel Barrett, Ross Turnbull and Stephen Boggon and this time they worked behind the scenes on the site’s compound and yard.

Alexandra Croom, Keeper of Archaeology at North East Museums, who is based on the site, has been delighted with the support offered by UK Docks’ workforce.

She said: “As we have come to expect from the team, they did sterling work on the site, and got a huge amount done in a single day.

“A large buddleia had grown in the yard near our offices and had rather taken over the compound and blocked out light from windows on all three sides.

“They cut this right back and let light back in, as well as removed saplings and tidied the yard to make the compound usable space once again.

“After that, they weeded the central courtyard of our reconstructed Roman courtyard house, improving the view for our visitors immeasurably, which we’re very grateful for.

“It is always a pleasure to have the UK Docks team at the Fort and we thank them so much for keeping on coming back!

“They always get a lot done and it has made a big difference to the site, so we look forward to seeing them again next year.”

UK Docks helps deliver new helicopter capability to HMS Trent in successful collaboration

UK Docks is celebrating the successful delivery of a new helicopter Visual Landing Aid System (HVLAS) to HMS Trent on schedule and within budget.

HMS Trent successfully testing its improved night-time operating system

The HVLAS, along with modifications and upgrades to the navigational aids to support Night Vision Devices (NVDs), was a task which involved multiple agencies.

It allowed UK Docks to confidently demonstrate its capacity and capabilities and that of their supply chain and partners, who were all major contributors to the success of the project.

The new capabilities on HMS Trent were the result of excellent collaboration between partners including UK Docks.

UK Docks’ Operations Director, Stephen Lee, said: “We’re delighted with the outcome, both for DE&S, Royal Navy and our commercial partners and collaborators.

“It is absolutely essential that projects such as these are delivered to the highest standards possible and that value for money considerations are always taken into account.

“This was an important project for UK Docks in demonstrating that we could operate at reach - much of the work was done in Malta before trials in Plymouth and Portsmouth - and in accordance with our brief from the Ministry of Defence’s Defence, Equipment and Support (DE&S) Hydrographic and Patrol Naval Ships Support team (NSS).

“DE&S, NSS approval to a live system being switched on and tested with an aircraft, took just eight months, which is a much faster timeframe than might have been expected.”

Helicopter capabilities are an important part of HMS Trent’s offering to the service.

This timeline included all project mandates, execution, delivery, close-out activities, finance, procurement, design (MoD and NATO STANAG), and Lloyd’s Register Naval Classification Society approvals.

The reinstatement, modification, and upgrade of HMS Trent’s helicopter capabilities will restore and enhance the vessel's operational capabilities.

Delivery of this work package was a late introduction during the vessel’s five Annual recertification period. 

However, UK Docks, in collaboration with our service partners, demonstrated the flexibility and agility of a commercially centred ship management organisation, enabling all work to be conducted while HMS Trent remained forward-deployed, rather than being taken out of active service.

Improvements to HMS Trent’s helicopter capabilities were tested and passed with flying colours.

UK Docks worked in collaboration with Du Pré Marine, Palumbo Shipyard Malta, Glamox, and DE&S Naval Supported Ships, responding with precision, technical depth, and a shared commitment to operational readiness. 

The successful completion of this challenging project to the satisfaction of all is a testament to the value of close industry–Defence collaboration. 

The joint team executed a complex package of engineering works that modernised and reinstated legacy systems with fully supportable, 30-year design-life solutions—enhancing platform performance, resilience, and operational flexibility. 

All systems were installed, Set-To-Work (STW), and commissioned on-site, meeting the demanding timelines of military stakeholders and entering service immediately in full compliance with DE&S and Royal Navy requirements.

So successful was the work on HMS Trent’s helicopter capabilities, it may now be unrolled across other Batch 2 vessels

At the core of the upgrade was the integration of a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) system.

It transformed platform operation through improved usability, an intuitive interface, and enhanced interoperability for multinational operations, including embarked aircraft from the B2 River-Class OPV flight deck. 

The completed work enables ship’s staff to operate with greater flexibility, control, and mission agility.

Supporting enhancements included:

• Navigation system upgrade to LED lighting, meeting full Royal Navy navigation light survey standards and ensuring COLREGs compliance.

• Night Vision Device (NVD)-compliant lighting modifications, enabling safe operations during night flying and multinational exercises.

• Electrical system segregation to increase redundancy, power distribution, and platform survivability.

Due to the success of this project, work is now being considered for rollout across the wider B2 River-Class OPV fleet, extending the benefits to other globally deployed Royal Navy assets.

As part of the extended maintenance period in Malta, at the client's request, UK Docks also delivered additional capability enhancements to the platform, working alongside trusted partners and collaborators. 

This achievement reinforces UK Docks’ proven ability, together with its partners, to deliver technically compliant, operationally ready solutions at pace and reach, supporting the Royal Navy’s global mission.