A company operating Aberystwyth marina has spoken of its frustration dealing with Ceredigion County Council and a two-year wait for an operating licence.

Western Marinas is running the marina in Aberystwyth on behalf of administrators, but has been granted operating licences at Cardiff and Watchet marinas, where it has dredged and invested in infrastructure.

But, in Aberystwyth, the company is still none the wiser on whether it can obtain an operating licence from the county council and has criticised the lack of communication from the local authority.

Adam Knowles, manager of the Aberystwyth marina site, said: “There has been zero communication, bordering on rude, from the council.

“The company has obtained operating licences at other locations and has dredged harbours and invested in the sites.

“The site is aging and needs investment. The hoist to lift boats in and out of the water needs replacing, but the investors can’t spend any more money until they have an answer over whether they will have the licence.”

Occupancy remains high with 80 per cent of the 154 berths filled all year round, rising to 95 per cent in the summer.

Mr Knowles added: “Western Marinas want to invest in the site. We have been looking at apprenticeships and other jobs, but without any guarantee we will run the site, they can’t commit.

“Throughout the two years Western Marinas have been involved the council has been uncooperative.

“The council has its own licence to dredge the harbour which they used to let us dredge, but they said no, making us apply for our own.

“It’s all totally unnecessary.

“We have proved that we can make a success of the marina by what has been done in Cardiff and Watchet.

“There has been absolutely zero cooperation (with the council). It’s appalling.

“We just need them to make a decision.

“Western Marinas have been extremely patient.

“I have a good relationship with the harbour manager and this isn’t anything to do with him, rather the officers responsible for making a decision on the licence.”

Penparcau councillor Carl Worrall is supporting Western Marinas’ bid, saying: “Apart from occasional attempts by individual businesses, including a café venture in recent years, the marina has never developed into the vibrant commercial and social hub that many residents were led to expect.

“Now we have a new operator which has publicly stated its ambition to invest in Aberystwyth Marina and realise its potential alongside its other marina sites.

“The company has also highlighted the importance of dredging and infrastructure investment to secure the marina's future.

“If we genuinely want economic growth in Aberystwyth, why are we not doing everything possible to support investment in one of the town's most valuable waterfront assets?

“Many residents in the north of Ceredigion already feel that our area is frequently overlooked when investment decisions are made. Supporting the marina should not be viewed as helping a private company alone. It should be viewed as an investment in Aberystwyth itself, its economy, its tourism industry and its future prospects.”

Ceredigion County Council was approached for comment at 1pm on Friday and no response had been received by 3pm Monday.