British inland diving sites Gildenburgh Water and Dosthill Quarry, in Cambridgeshire and Staffordshire, have been put up for sale.

Their owner, Ian Forster, has developed the business for the past 23 years with his wife Pauline. Now he has decided to retire - or, as he told Diver, to "semi-retire, if there's a role we can play in the future".

Forster's view is that the sites - Gildenburgh in particular - are ready for development as leisure complexes, at a level beyond the capability of his family-based company. His business freeholds and operations are on the market at £2.95 million.

"The time is right to sell," Forster told Diver. But he expects diving to remain a key part of the sites' futures - and doesn't rule out the possibility of continuing to oversee diving operations in association with a new owner.

the Dosthill dive site

The sites are being marketed across a broad business spectrum. "Diving is following general leisure-industry patterns," said Forster. "This means that, in addition to a core diving facility, people are going to expect well-developed food and drink services, accommodation for residential courses, activities for non-divers, and entertainment.

"I see the likely buyer as being a plc already linked with park developments and associated health and leisure activities. So it is very likely that such a company would be keen to continue the expansion of scuba activities at the sites, along with other developments."

A full statement by the company, detailing its holdings and likely scenarios for the future, can be seen on www.divein.co.uk/business-sale.htm

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