Business and Product Development

Inland waterways support a range of business types both directly and indirectly.

Often these are related to recreation and tourism - boat and equipment manufacture & sales, marinas, restaurants, cafes, pubs and shops. Waterways also create opportunities for businesses in the transport, renewable energy and construction / environmental management sectors, and waterside industry and office developments benefit from proximity to a high quality water environment.

Through Waterways for Growth we are encouraging:

• Networking and contacts between businesses;
• New business models, including social enterprises and the development of the volunteer economy;
• The joint development of approaches for new business & product development, incorporating new technology solutions; and
• The clustering of land and water-based activity, including the development of “focal” or “service” points, bringing together, for example,  tourism and recreation activity with boating and environmental services.