North East ship repair firm acquires historic Royal Clarence Yard

South Shields-headquartered UK Docks has acquired the former site of the Royal Clarence Yard from the Ministry of Defence.

Advised by Mincoffs Solicitors’ commercial property team, the site, at Royal Clarence Yard, was purchased by UK Docks as part of their current expansion plans.

The Tyneside firm, founded in 1995 by managing director Harry Wilson and now run by him and his sons, operates at Gosport and around the UK in Cornwall, Teesside and Tyneside. The new Gosport site is set to further boost its UK service offering.

A redevelopment plan for the site is being worked up and, with substantial investment, the site will ultimately be developed into a Marine Service Centre servicing the local marine industry.

Jonathan Wilson, director of UK Docks, said: “We are very proud to have acquired such a historic waterfront site in Gosport which will further expand our operations and services provided on the South Coast and we are looking forward to developing this site into what will be a unique specialist marine hub.”

Mincoffs Solicitors’ commercial property team advised the Wilsons and UK Docks on the acquisition of the site from the MoD.

Mincoffs partner, Malcolm Wood, added: “It has been a pleasure to advise a dynamic, family-run firm such as UK Docks on the acquisition of Royal Clarence Yard, and it was fascinating to learn about the history of the site.

“It comes at an exciting time for UK Docks following the recent MoD contract win and it is great to see a regional firm establishing itself as a significant player in the maritime services industry.”

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