A UK ferry company has gone into liquidation - the company made the decision after an 18-month search for a solution to revive the service. The Hythe Ferry voluntarily went into liquidation after it was suspended in August 2024 when damage was found to its pontoon and supporting structure.

A spokesperson for the Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company said it had made the difficult decision after "exhausting every possible avenue" to seek grants, funding or another operator to take the service on.

On its website, there is a message addressing the situation which is dated Thursday April 9.

It says: "The Hythe Ferry has long been an important and historic transport link for the local community.

"Over the past 18 months, the owner of The Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company has worked extensively to try and find a sustainable solution that would allow the service to return.

"This included exploring funding opportunities, grant support and inviting potential investors or operators to come forward.

"Unfortunately, despite exhausting every possible avenue, no viable proposals or interested parties have emerged.

"Following legal advice, the difficult decision has therefore been taken to place The Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company into voluntary liquidation.

"This is a deeply disappointing outcome and not one that has been reached lightly. We know how much the ferry means to the local community.

"We would like to thank everyone who has supported the ferry during this challenging time."

In 2023, Isle of Wight ferry firm Red Funnel took over The Hythe and Southampton Ferry Company, which operates the passenger link across Southampton Water, reports BBC.

Red Funnel was acquired by investment firm Njord Partners in December last year.

It decided it was not best suited to operate the Hythe service and the ferry firm began looking for someone to take it on.

A ferry has run between Southampton and Hythe since the Middle Ages and is marked on a map dated 1575.

The company said all staff members have been contacted, and will be supported through the process by the liquidators.

Corporate restructure specialists Leonard Curtis have been appointed to assist with the process.