SOUTHEND - 2
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Is the radar too old? Been u/s for at least two weeks, came back to life on Friday, dead again today.
Also, isn't it about time the new owners were revealed to us?
Also, isn't it about time the new owners were revealed to us?
Join Date: Oct 2005
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Radar
I saw notams last week saying it was U/S until today / tomorrow, are they doing an upgrade in the tower because no one is touching the radar itself??? It could be... The airport are throwing in last minute investment to the various upgrades required around the field as a gesture of good will to the new owners.
Yeah the announcement was supposed to be June and then mid July its almost August anyone have an inclin'??
Yeah the announcement was supposed to be June and then mid July its almost August anyone have an inclin'??
Meetings were being arranged to take place during July between the chosen bidders and the SEN 'stakeholders' (the two Councils etc.). If this has indeed happened then I assume an announcement cannot be long in coming now.
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The Joint Area Action Plan seems to be in full swing, so maybe the decision on the runway extension wil come before the new buyer announcement! Or perhaps xmas will come first 
. Also SEN I hope you have a representation in Beijing becuase all the other airports are out there with their business cards and hand out memory sticks...
. Also SEN I hope you have a representation in Beijing becuase all the other airports are out there with their business cards and hand out memory sticks...
My understanding of the situation is that two final bidders have been selected, one to be the preferred bidder and the other to be the reserve bidder should the first drop out at the last minute.
That would be in line with Andrew Walters' statement to the Airport Consultative Committee in May that two final bids would be chosen.
Presumably an announcement on who is selected as preferred bidder will be made shortly.
That would be in line with Andrew Walters' statement to the Airport Consultative Committee in May that two final bids would be chosen.
Presumably an announcement on who is selected as preferred bidder will be made shortly.
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Still no news on the preferred bidder(s) but they're offering tours of the airport at the end of August, more at
http://www.southendairport.com/PDFs/...nes%20tour.pdf
http://www.southendairport.com/PDFs/...nes%20tour.pdf
The Echo newspaper website today carries a story in which Macquarie Airports deny they are the chosen buyer of SEN, this having recently been reported on Meridian TV news apparently.
The more interesting part of the story is that they quote the LCY consortium as still being interested in the purchase and that they hope to be the successful bidder. This goes counter to recent rumours that LCY had pulled out of the bidding.
The more interesting part of the story is that they quote the LCY consortium as still being interested in the purchase and that they hope to be the successful bidder. This goes counter to recent rumours that LCY had pulled out of the bidding.
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I would have thought Andrew Walters would be looking to get his money back sooner rather than later? Can't understand whats delayed it so long really or perhaps people where bidding to prevent others succeeding rather than to buy?? Hey diggers clearing the field to the right of 06 any significance or just coincidence???
The diggers adjacent to the 06 threshold are removing the existing boundary fence and relocating it further East on land recently leased by LSACL in order that the Runway Strip will comply with CAP168 width requirements.
I understand that Andrew Walters is very keen to get an early sale agreement. Apparently Alastair Welch said yesterday, when introducing the airport coach tours, that once the chosen bidder has satisfied them that they have the finance in place to carry through the development plan then an announcment will be made.
I understand that Andrew Walters is very keen to get an early sale agreement. Apparently Alastair Welch said yesterday, when introducing the airport coach tours, that once the chosen bidder has satisfied them that they have the finance in place to carry through the development plan then an announcment will be made.
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Aha! Right down at the bottom - I went to that section but didn't scroll down far enough - looking at the Press Releases, you see.
Apologies - the event is taking place on the 21st September.
Apologies - the event is taking place on the 21st September.
Last edited by frostbite; 6th Sep 2008 at 11:42.
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It has gone very quite on this issue. The last rumour was that the Eddie Stobbart group had been and had another look at things. Now is not a good time to be trying to sell it and each day makes the matter worse as whatever your view the future prospects look poor. The STN expansion plan cannot have helped either.
I don't think the fact that STN has received approval for an increase in throughput has had any impact on the sale of SEN. That had, after all, been anticipated even before RAL put SEN on the market.
The global financial crisis has obviously had a big impact and must have caused prospective buyers to re-evaluation the situation. The one advantage that SEN does have in the current situation is that it is less likely to suffer a serious drop in revenues over the next couple of years compared to most airports and its development plan would not be completed until mid 2011. Some would say that this timescale could be just right to catch the best of the upturn.
As far as Stobbart is concerned, my understanding is that their interest is still alive and that negotiations may be at a late stage.
No one could argue, though, that the recent past has been a very good time to try to sell any UK airport.
The global financial crisis has obviously had a big impact and must have caused prospective buyers to re-evaluation the situation. The one advantage that SEN does have in the current situation is that it is less likely to suffer a serious drop in revenues over the next couple of years compared to most airports and its development plan would not be completed until mid 2011. Some would say that this timescale could be just right to catch the best of the upturn.
As far as Stobbart is concerned, my understanding is that their interest is still alive and that negotiations may be at a late stage.
No one could argue, though, that the recent past has been a very good time to try to sell any UK airport.
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With out wishing to sound negative this was the only group left that had any interest in purchasing SEN. What would concern me is they have even less experience than RAL in running an airport. After 2 years ownership of Carlisle the company is yet to manifest anything other than grand plans? I hope to be proved wrong and see SEN develop quickly, as what?
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I wonder if the recent announcement of another new hotel put off some potential purchasers?
As I recall, this new hotel would be right next to the airport and provide serious competition for the as yet unbuilt Ramada hotel.
As I recall, this new hotel would be right next to the airport and provide serious competition for the as yet unbuilt Ramada hotel.