Peoples port bid launched for Dover

The Dover People’s Port Trust, with the backing of forces’ sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, has launched a community scheme to take on the port, which recently applied for privatisation.

Spearheading the move, Dover & Deal MP Charlie Elphicke has said his scheme would involve setting up a community trust which local people could join “for a tenner” which would raise cash in the money markets to buy the port. The Department for Transport is thought to be looking for around £350m for the port.

Earlier this year, Dover Harbour Board (DHB) released plans to sell off the port, which has held trust status for 400 years, in order to fund its expansion projects. The move was spurred by the previous Labour government’s promise to explore “options for commercialisation of assets” of the UK’s major trust ports.

Chief executive Bob Goldfield told the BBC: “We are convinced that only the DHB scheme is practical and in line with all of the government’s stated objectives, one of which is to hold an open and transparent sale.

“If the people’s port proposal can legally be achieved, which experts advise is not possible, meet all of the government’s objectives and be competitive, it will no doubt be at liberty to bid.”