When Waitrose chose to locate their only Isle of Wight branch in East Cowes, it’s likely their decision was based on a “frequent and reliable service” from the Cowes floating bridge. It’s fair to say that a good proportion of their trade would come from residents living across the River Medina in Cowes.
A catalogue of failures
As has been comprehensively documented through OnTheWight over the last 12+ months, the failures of Floating Bridge 6, have impacted heavily on many businesses in East Cowes, including Waitrose.
The high-end supermarket – which has been quietly observing the problems with the floating bridge service over the last 12+ months – has now broken its silence.
Waitrose: “Important that a solution is found”
Waitrose branch manager, Dan Olive, made clear how important the company feels it is that a “solution is found to maintain a frequent and reliable service”.
Speaking to OnTheWight, he said,
“The floating bridge plays a significant role in bringing trade to East Cowes, so it’s important that a solution is found to maintain a frequent and reliable service, which will avoid further uncertainty and help safeguard local businesses.”
Concerns to Solent LEP
On Monday, the Floating Bridge Stakeholders Group – which includes many of the businesses in East Cowes – sent their concerns to the head of the Solent LEP.
They are calling for a meeting with the funder of the new floating bridge.
Image: sean_hickin under CC BY 2.0
