More tourists will be visiting Queenborough if a yacht club has its way and is successful in its bid to take over the management of the town’s harbour.

Swale council had considered closing the Queenborough Harbour service to save money but has now decided to explore the option of finding a new operator to run it.

Queenborough Yacht Club has informed the council it is keen to take over the management.

A council spokesman said the running of the harbour, which includes managing the facilities and annual moorings, collecting fees from overnight visitors and carrying out safety checks, costs about £25,000 a year.

The plans to outsource the management are at a very early stage, but the spokesman said they are pleased with the local interest they have already received.

If the yacht club is successful, they hope to improve the amenities of the harbour and increase visitor numbers to Queenborough, which they feel would have a positive impact on the town and its businesses.

They would also look at removing the existing moorings and replacing them with pontoons to increase the number of moorings to 240.

Another plan the club is considering if it can take over the management would be to relocate the harbour controller’s office to the upstairs of the yacht club, based in the high street, to give instant visibility of the harbour and improve security for the boats.

In the future they would like to see a building either on or near the All Tide Landing to position the harbour controller at the heart of the harbour.

Eddie Johnson, Rear Commodore and publicity officer at the club, said it would be the club’s aim to keep mooring costs as low as possible while improving the facilities.

“We believe the harbour is at the heart of Queenborough and it should be run by members of the local community for the local community.

“We want the harbour to develop into an area that contributes to the local economy while still maintaining a wonderful view.

“We hope the local community will support us in our bid to run the harbour, and we are happy to talk to anyone about our goals and welcome suggestions that would improve the harbour for locals and visitors.”