These are usually cafes, shops, pubs and restaurants but can also include cycle hire and anything else for which there is a demand for along the canals and rivers.

Such facilities are often based in properties or on land owned by British Waterways and leased to third parties. Opportunities to acquire such leases are fairly infrequent, but we will always be glad to advise you of any lease renewals coming up. Occasionally, we may grant a licence to trade from car parks, towpaths or other BW owned land.

Where a facility is wholly owned by a third party, we may assist in the promotion of the business or grant a licence for advertising the business from our property, such as a sign on the towpath to attract visitors to facilities in nearby villages.

BW is currently working in partnership with Scottish & Newcastle Enterprises to develop more waterside pubs at key locations.