WITH reference to Boat Business forced to end Holiday Hire, Craven Herald, October 24 and online; and speaking as an agent for holiday hire all over the UK; it is such a shame, but not surprising given increasing costs and reductions in government funding.

Holiday businesses need confidence that the canals will be open, as do their customers, especially if they are flying in from abroad and/or with limited or no option to reschedule.

This is the second hire base I've heard of this year deciding not to renew the license on their holiday hire and instead focus on day hire primarily because of closures, maintenance and underfunding and the day-hire being less susceptible to those issues.

Luckily, the team at Pennine have a great little pub and a fantastic location for day-hire. Others are not so lucky.

James Anelay. Roam & Roost, Liveaboard canal boater and co-founder of narrowboat holiday travel agent Roam&Roost.

Leighton Buzzard