As part of its continued expansion into the European market, Freedom Boat Club said it will open a location Portsmouth, England — its first in the U.K.
Located at Trafalgar Wharf near Port Solent, the company said the club will be operational this summer and that membership sales have commenced, according to a statement from parent company Brunswick Corp. Freedom also has locations in France and will look to grow elsewhere in Europe.
“We believe the U.K. and Europe is a prime market for the growth of Freedom Boat Club,” said Jason Worthy, Freedom vice president of boating services for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “This is the first in what we expect to be multiple new locations in and around the United Kingdom.”
The trade association British Marine said boat sales in the U.K. rose by almost 10 percent last year, and dealers and builders are expecting that trend to continue.
“There is an opportunity to successfully expand Freedom Boat Club across Europe, as boating is one of the most popular outdoor activities in the region,” Worthy said. “This expansion into a new region represents the beginning of our continued efforts to replicate the successful model we have built in North America.”
