Cruise ship firm fails

A CRUISE ship company which gave new hope to Newhaven town centre traders and port regeneration has filed for bankruptcy.

Less than two months ago Florida-based Renaissance Cruises confirmed it was keen to use Newhaven as a stop-off point for its luxury cruises around the British Isles.

Its ships had already berthed at Newhaven in May and June.

The visits began after the new French owners of Newhaven harbour took control in the spring. Cruise ships had not berthed in Newhaven for up to two years and the French were keen for the visits to resume.

Renaissance was due to berth at Newhaven from May and throughout the summer months of 2002.

But the company s web site confirmed the company ceased trading on September 25. One of the Renaissance cruise ships was even stopped mid-cruise at Dover by harbour authorities while they waited to hear from the company s liquidators.

Terrorists

It is believed the terrorist events of September 11 in the USA, which have hit the international tourist industry hard, caused the bankruptcy.

During visits this year up to 200 American tourists at a time disembarked at Newhaven. While most headed for Brighton and Lewes, others found time to look around the town centre and visit Newhaven Fort and Alfriston.

It was hoped regeneration projects in the town would encourage more visitors and that town traders would reap the benefit.

A Newhaven Port and Properties spokesman said it had received no official confirmation that Renaissance had cancelled.

However, he added: We can only hope another company steps in and takes over the advertised schedule for the next year.